The Los Angeles Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks meet Sunday in MLB action from Chase Field. This will be the final installment in a three-game series between these teams. The Diamondbacks eked out a win in the Friday opener, then on Saturday in game two the Dodgers struck back with a five-run victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Los Angeles fought back after a 5-2 deficit on Friday, forcing 10 innings in the eventual 6-5 defeat. In the Saturday game, the Dodgers posted 16 hits in a nice 8-3 victory. Mitchell White put up 3.2 frames with two hits, two earned and one walk.
For the Sunday finale starter job, the Dodgers will trot out Julio Urias. This year Urias has 124.2 innings with 107 hits, 54 runs (49 earned), 17 homers allowed, 25 walks, 132 Ks and a 3.54 ERA overall.
Over on the Diamondbacks’ side, they posted 10 hits in the walk-off victory on Friday. In the Saturday game, Arizona had only five hits on the night but still had the game tied going into the seventh inning. Merrill Kelly lasted 6.1 innings with eight hits, three earned and two walks.
For Sunday’s starter job, the Diamondbacks are sending out Caleb Smith. Over 84.0 innings this year Smith has 69 hits, 45 runs (43 earned), 15 homers allowed, 42 walks, 96 Ks and a 4.61 ERA.
The Dodgers are 42-12 in their last 54 versus a team with a winning percentage below .400 and 42-15 in their last 57 Sunday games. LA is 91-42 in their last 133 in game three of a series and 39-19 in their last 58 versus a lefty starter.
Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks are 1-7 in their last eight Sunday games and 15-49 in their last 64 overall. Arizona is 13-39 in their last 52 in game three of a series and 3-8 in their last 11 at home versus a lefty starter.
PICK: I’m sticking with the Dodgers. Urias has been solid over his last pair of outings, notching a combined two earned runs on nine hits and one walk in 12.2 innings. As for Smith, he’s struggled over his last four appearances with a combined 21 earned runs in 19.2 innings of work. If there’s good news there, it’s that Smith has completed at least 6.0 innings in three of his last four starts. All things considered though, this looks like a firm Dodgers win on paper at least.