LA Dodgers vs Arizona Diamondbacks Free MLB Playoff Prediction, 10–9–2017
Game 3 NL Division Series Playoff Pick by Wes Salvato of Sports Picks Forum
Los Angeles Dodgers vs Arizona DiamondbacksFree MLB Prediction
MLB: Monday, October 9th, 10:00 PM EST
Odds: Diamondbacks -105, 9
The Los Angeles Dodgers look to advance to the NL Championship Series as they take on the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 3 of their best of five NL Division Series Monday night. The Dodgers are up (2–0) in this series when they hand the ball to Yu Darvish (4–3, 3.44 ERA). Arizona will counter with their ace, Zach Greinke (17–7, 3.32 ERA).
For a period of time from late August to mid-September, the Los Angeles Dodgers appeared to be in turmoil. LA had a huge lead in the NL Playoff standings but after losing 16 of 17 games many wondered whether the Dodgers had enough left in the tank to make a splash in the playoffs. Here they are one game away from the NLCS. This particular scenario is exactly why they traded for Yu Darvish. The Dodgers need one win to move on to the NLCS. Darvish won in his last start, which came back on September 25 at home against the Padres. He threw seven innings, allowing one run on two hits with no walks and nine strikeouts. Darvish is 2–0 with a 2.75 ERA and a 0.966 WHIP over 19.2 innings in his three career starts against the Diamondbacks.
The Dodgers have scored 17 runs in this series behind the timely hitting of Logan Forsythe, Justin Turner and Yasiel Puig to name a few. One stat that favors the Dodgers offense is they have now won 10 straight games when scoring more than one run.
Zach Greinke may need to pitch his best game of the year. Greinke got the ND in the NL Wild Card game vs the Rockies when the Diamondbacks won, 11–8. Greinke pitched only 3.2 innings allowing 6 hits and 4 earned runs with 1 strikeout. Greinke was bailed out by his offense and he’ll need to be sharper in this outing with Arizona’s back up against the wall. Arizona has scored 5 runs in both games in this series but their starting pitching has not been stellar. Taijuan Walker lasted 1.0 inning in Game 1 and Robbie Ray last 4.0 innings in Game 2.
The Dodgers appear to be the team to beat in the National League and they now control their destiny in this series. It may be tough to bet against them in tonight’s matchup, however, Greinke is (13–1) at home this season and its do or die for Arizona. Just like the Red Sox pulled off a win in Game 3 to extend their season, I expect the Diamondbacks to do the same. I like Greinke over Darvish and Arizona now has the home field advantage in Game 3.
Dodgers vs Diamondbacks Free MLB Pick:Diamondbacks -105
