MLB Playoffs: Diamondbacks vs Dodgers NLDS Prediction, Odds
The Arizona Diamondbacks upset the Milwaukee Brewers in the Wild Card round of the MLB playoffs. Arizona's reward? Facing the 100-win Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Divisional Series. The betting odds to win the series at Caesars Sportsbook has the Dodgers as -210 favorites with Arizona +175 to advance to the NLCS.
It's not surprising to see Arizona as the underdog for the second-straight series. Los Angeles also has the third-shortest odds to win the World Series at +475. The Diamondbacks' odds of winning the World Series come in at a distant +1400.
Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers Odds (Caesars Sportsbook)
Dodgers to win series -210
Diamondbacks to win series +175
Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers Prediction
The Dodgers easily won the National League West this season with a record of 100-62. Despite making the postseason, Arizona was never really a major threat to Los Angeles. The Diamondbacks finished 16 games behind the Dodgers with a record of 84-78. Los Angeles took the head-to-head season series 8-5 and won the last five games between the two teams.
If the Diamondbacks are going to pull the upset, they will likely do it with speed and starting pitching. Arizona ranked second in MLB with 166 stolen bases and a 86% success rate on steals. They also led MLB with 44 triples.
Arizona also has the luxury of trotting out two aces in Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly. Gallen finished the year 17-9 with 3.47 ERA, while Kelly went 12-8 with a 3.29 ERA. These two will pitch four of a potential seven games and if they are in top form, the Diamondbacks have a puncher's chance.
The problem is Arizona's pitchers will be facing a loaded Dodgers lineup that finished second in MLB in both home runs and runs batted in led by Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy and Mookie Betts. The trio combined for 104 home runs and 314 RBIs during the regular season.
While this matchup between familiar foes should be interesting, the Dodgers just have too much firepower in a seven-game series. I expect them to end Arizona's run and advance to the NLCS.
