Dodgers vs Diamondbacks Predictions / Picks

Clayton Kershaw likes to strike people out, which isn’t news. He’ll look to add more to his K total later tonight when he steps on the mound against division mates, Arizona Diamondbacks. Will Kershaw bring the heat and lead the Los Angeles Dodgers to victory? Or will the D’backs solve Kershaw and earn a home win? Read on for a breakdown of this game. Also check out our preview of Cubs vs. Nationals.

MLB World Series News and Previews

Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Betting Preview

Where: Chase Field, Phoenix

When: Wednesday, June 15, 2016, 3:40 PM ET

Line: Chicago Cubs vs. Washington Nationals – view all MLB lines

TV Broadcast: MLB Network

Betting on the Los Angeles Dodgers

You know what to expect when Clayton Kershaw is on the mound: strikeouts, lots of them. That was again the case on June 10, when Kershaw mowed down San Francisco’s lineup, punching out 13 K’s and surrendering just two earned runs on five hits in eight innings of a 3-2 road victory.

On the season, Kershaw has a 9-1 record and a 1.52 ERA. He also leads the majors with 122 strikeouts. On top of those, Kershaw is 3-0 with a 1.77 ERA in six road starts thus far this year. That’s the kind of animal Arizona’s batters have to deal with later tonight. The lefty is 11-8 with a 2.76 ERA in 23 career starts against the Diamondbacks.

With how the Dodgers are doing at the plate this month, it seems that Kershaw needs to be on top of his game anew. The Dodgers are last in the majors with a batting average of .191 and have only 38 runs this June.

Joc Pederson and Corey Seager are two of the few Dodgers who are making things happen at the plate of late. Pederson is 5-for-17 (.294)with three doubles and a homer over the last five games, while Seager is 5-for-18 (.278) with also a blast during the same stretch. Those behind the two in the batting order need to do better, however. Take for example Adrian Gonzalez, who only has four hits in the past five games.

Betting on the Arizona Diamondbacks

Patrick Corbin had an unfortunate night the last time he was on the mound. He’ll try to bounce back this time when he gets the ball against the Dodgers.

Corbin was working on a 5-1 lead through the first six innings of action against the Marlins on June 10, but the wheels fell off in the seventh frame when he surrendered a double and issued a pair of walks before Tyler Clippard gave up a grand slam in relief. Corbin carries a 3-5 record and a 4.81 ERA to tonight’s matchup with Kershaw.

Corbin, however, is not new to outdueling superstar pitchers. In his first start this June, Corbin beat Jake Arrieta and the Cubs, allowing only two earned runs on five hits in seven innings of mound duty of a 3-2 victory at Wrigley Field.

As for run support, Corbin will be relying on the Diamondbacks’ lineup that is brimming with right-handed hitters against the lefty Kershaw. Arizona has nine righty hitters, tied for second most in the majors. Moreover, Arizona has been great against southpaw hurlers this season, as the Diamondbacks are slashing .278/ .350/ .472 versus lefties in 2016.

As unbeatable as Kershaw has looked this year, the Diamondbacks can always remind themselves of the fact that the Dodgers’ walking strikeout factory hasn’t pitched well at Chase Field for added encouragement. Kershaw is only 4-7 with a 3.90 ERA in 11 career starts in Phoenix.