The Arizona Diamondbacks finish their series with the Los Angeles Dodgers tonight at 10:10 PM ET. The NL West division rivals have split the first two games with each game featuring strong offensive performances. They have combined for 8 home runs and 51 hits in the Dodgers’ first home series of the season.
The Dodgers are -135 MLB money line favorites over the +115 Diamondbacks and the over/under is 7.5.
They are coming off of a grueling 11-inning game that went almost five hours. The game lasted well past midnight and caused the managers of both teams to use eight pitchers.
Los Angeles Dodgers third basemen Casey Blake hit a double in the bottom of the 9th inning that scored James Carroll, evening the score at 7. Neither team scored in the 10th inning. Arizona won the game in the eleventh when Chris Young hit a single with the bases loaded.
Hiroki Kuroda will be making the start for Los Angeles (3-5, 1-1 at home). The right hander was dominant in his first start earlier this season, throwing eight scoreless innings with seven strikeouts. It was a refreshing sight for Dodgers fans, as Kuroda struggled last season with injuries en route to an 8-7 record.
Dan Haren will be making his third start of the season for Arizona (5-3, 1-1 on the road). After a strong performance on opening day, Haren (1-1, 3.95 ERA) struggled in his last start. The right hander gave up six runs and two home runs in 6 2/3 innings against the Pittsburgh Pirates in a 6-3 loss. In 2009, he went 1-1 with a 2.22 ERA in four starts against the Dodgers.
The key to this game will be longevity by the starting pitchers. Both teams exhausted their bullpens in last night’s marathon and will need strong performances from their starters.
Matt Kemp and Manny Ramirez will likely be the biggest headaches for Haren. The two outfielders have played very well in the series, with Kemp hitting home runs in both games and Ramirez batting 4-7 with three RBIs and one home run.
The Arizona Diamondbacks will hope for another strong game from shortstop Stephen Drew and right fielder Justin Upton. The two bat 2-3 in the lineup and combined bat 6-11 last night with a home run and a double for each.
