Los Angeles Dodgers vs Arizona Diamondbacks Prediction 10-7-23 MLB Picks
The Arizona Diamondbacks and the Los Angeles Dodgers meet Saturday in MLB action from Dodger Stadium. This will be Game 1 in a best-of-five National League Division Series playoff. The Diamondbacks took a pair of wins over the Brewers this week to advance from the Wild Card round. As for the Dodgers, they finished 100-62 overall this year, winning the National League West by 16 games. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks did a good job versus the Brewers this week, winning consecutive games to advance. Arizona won 6-3 on Tuesday, getting a homer, two RBI, two hits and two runs from Corbin Carroll. In the Game 2 victory 5-2 on Wednesday, the Diamondbacks’ Ketel Marte provided two RBI, while Alek Thomas added a solo home run.
As starting pitcher for Saturday’s matchup, the Diamondbacks are sending out Merill Kelly. In 2023 Kelly went 12-8 with a 3.29 ERA in 30 starts. Kelly is 2-3 with a 4.35 ERA over his last seven starts, striking out 41 batters in 41.1 innings.
Arizona Diamondbacks Team Facts
The Diamondbacks have won each of their last six games as underdogs against National League opponents.
The Diamondbacks have covered the run line in each of their last seven games against National League opponents.
The Diamondbacks have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last five games at Dodger Stadium.
The Diamondbacks have lost the first inning in each of their last three games.
The Diamondbacks have led after 5 innings in three of their last four games as underdogs against National League opponents.
Los Angeles Dodgers
Over on the Dodgers’ side, they finished off the regular season by winning two of three versus the Giants. Los Angeles finished second in the MLB to the surging Braves in several key offensive categories this year, including RBI (877), home runs (249) and runs (906). Freddie Freeman was a key contributor with 211 hits (second in the Majors), while Mookie Betts hit a team-high 39 home runs.
Ace veteran Clayton Kershaw will take the mound for the Dodgers for the start on Saturday. Kershaw went 13-5 overall this regular season with a 2.46 ERA in 24 starts. In his postseason career Kershaw is 13-12 with a 4.22 ERA in 38 games (31 starts).
Los Angeles Dodgers Team Facts
The Dodgers have lost six of their last seven playoff games as favorites following a win.
The Dodgers have failed to cover the run line in eight of their last nine games against National League opponents following a win.
The 'Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs' market has hit in each of the Dodgers' last five home games.
The Dodgers have led after 3 innings in each of their last five games against the Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium.
The Dodgers have led after 7 innings in each of their last six night games against the Diamondbacks at Dodger Stadium.
Matchup/League Facts
The Los Angeles Dodgers rank 2nd in the league for runs scored this season (906).
The Los Angeles Dodgers rank 2nd in the league for home runs this season (249).
The Arizona Diamondbacks rank 1st in the league for triples this season (44).
The Arizona Diamondbacks rank 2nd in the league for steals this season (166).
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’ll probably lean toward the Dodgers in this one. The line's a little too thick to mess with, though. Los Angeles should get a lift from Kershaw, who has been pitching well lately (despite coming off a loss to the Giants in his last outing). In his last three starts Kershaw is 1-1 with just two earned runs in 14.1 innings on six walks and nine hits total. He should be able to set the Dodgers up well while he’s out there.
As for the Diamondbacks, they’ll get a well-rested Kelly on the mound for the start here and he should do well. Kelly is 1-1 in his last three starts with four earned in 18.2 total innings. I like this one to be close and low-scoring, with the Dodgers eking out a late victory. Should be a fun game to watch.
