The Los Angeles Dodgers look to bounce back from a tough loss and send Roki Sasaki to the bump for Game 2 against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Below, I’ve got my preview, prediction, and best bet for this Friday night baseball game between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks.
Here’s how I’ll play it. I’ll be pumping out these predictions for individual games all season, with plenty of coverage here on DraftKings Network. Follow my handle @dansby_edits for more betting plays.
Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers prediction, preview
After a 5-3 defeat in Game 1, the Dodgers are aiming to reclaim momentum behind Roki Sasaki, whose 3.86 ERA isn’t a glaring issue yet. But his control has been a challenge. He’s walked 20 batters in just 30.1 innings, and his 5.41 FIP tells a more concerning story. Sasaki has allowed one home run in each of his last four starts, and his 90 Stuff+ ranking isn’t elite. However, he’s been slightly better on the road with a 3.50 ERA. Against a Diamondbacks offense that ranks 5th in wOBA, Sasaki needs to control his walks to avoid trouble.
Eduardo Rodriguez is on the mound for the Diamondbacks after a call-up. While his 5.92 ERA tells a story of inconsistency, his advanced stats—particularly a solid 3.43 xERA—point to better results ahead. Rodriguez’s main issue has been his fly-ball rate, which plays right into the Dodgers’ strengths. Los Angeles ranks second in MLB with 60 home runs and thirrd in runs scored. They can easily exploit Rodriguez’s vulnerability to the long ball. The Dodgers’ deep lineup, led by Shohei Ohtani and Freddie Freeman, presents a serious challenge.
Offensively, the Dodgers have been a juggernaut, ranking near the top of the league in runs (5.42 per game), batting average (.259), and OPS (.797). Despite a rough start in Game 1, Ohtani’s .299 average and 11 home runs give him a constant presence in the lineup. This roster is bought—ahem, built— to take advantage of weak pitching, and Arizona’s bullpen—24th in ERA—is in for a long night.
Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks pick, best bet
While the Diamondbacks have had success this season, their pitching staff simply doesn’t match up against the Dodgers’ offensive firepower. Arizona’s 4.43 team ERA ranks 24th, and Rodriguez’s 1.47 WHIP underscores a vulnerability that the Dodgers will exploit. Even with Corbin Carroll’s stellar performance (11 home runs, 28 RBIs), Arizona will have a hard time keeping up offensively against a Dodgers team that can pile on runs quickly.
The Dodgers’ ability to hit against lefties should be the difference-maker. Rodriguez’s high fly-ball rate and inability to keep the ball in the park are perfect opportunities for the Dodgers to exploit. The runline—set at Dodgers -1.5—offers value, especially with Arizona’s struggles against elite offenses. Given the Dodgers’ superior pitching depth, lineup strength, and recent history of bouncing back after losses, they’re poised to cover the spread and take this one.
Best bet: Dodgers -1.5 (+150) at Diamondbacks
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