Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 5/26/2022

Time: 9:40 p.m. ET

Venue: Chase Field, Phoenix, AZ

Where to watch: SportsNet LA, Bally Sports Arizona

DraftKings: Dodgers -190, Diamondbacks +160

BetMGM: Dodgers -190, Diamondbacks +155 

Caesars: Dodgers -175, Diamondbacks +155

Dodgers: 29-14

Diamondbacks: 23-22

I remember back earlier in the season when the Arizona Diamondbacks had a series at home against the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the D-backs actually took two of three in that series. I don't want to pinpoint to that moment where I thought Arizona was actually going to be good, but I can tell you that's when I started to pay attention.

And the fact we are a quarter of the way through this season and the D-backs are a game over .500 as they start a four-game series at home against the Dodgers on Thursday, this could very much be an early-season defining moment for the young D-backs as they try to keep moving up in the standings on the Dodgers, Giants and Padres.

The D-backs are coming off a two-game sweep of the Kansas City Royals, winning the last game 8-6 and scoring a total of 17 runs in those two games. I have yet to figure out what's more shocking when watching this team; the collective pitching — from the starters to the closer — that has been really good, or the hitting that has produced this abnormal number of runs.

Pavin Smith and Jonathan Luplow homered in the sixth inning to not just rally from a 6-3 deficit, but to take a two-run lead that they wouldn't let go. Home runs. In the Arizona offense? Is that a mainstay?

"I don't want to say that's who we are," D-backs manager Torey Lovullo said. "I don't want us to be known as a home run-hitting team. I want us to be known as good hitters who hit home runs because we are balanced and through the baseball. Our mindset is hard line drives in the middle of the diamond, 90 miles an hour or greater, and good things will take off from there."

Right now, it's been a fun time for this young group. They don't have the superstar that will take over in that capacity yet, but Daulton Varsho is their leading batter from the catching position. That's at least better than what most teams can say.

The Dodgers are coming off a 1-0 loss to the Washington Nationals after winning the previous two of the series. The Dodgers have shown at times that when they get cold, they can be cold. And when Erick Fedde is destroying you, there's really no hope left.

It did help that Mookie Betts had an off day. The MVP candidate leads the Dodgers with 12 home runs.

"We talked about an off day and I wanted to stay true to that," Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts said. "I do believe in the shorter- and the longer-term, he's going to stay healthy and it's going to allow him to be more productive the rest of the way."

I think the D-backs are going to come out strong in this series given they've had an extra day, while the Dodgers are traveling cross-country for this one. They'll be close to home, but a motivated group after a day off is going to do wonders for Arizona. Give me the dogs in this one. Diamondbacks win 8-5

Dodgers are 17-9 against right-handed starters this season.

Dodgers are 13-8 as a road favorite this season; 84-49 over the last three seasons.

Diamondbacks are 8-10 as an underdog of +125 to +175 this season.

Dodgers:
rea Turner (R) SS
Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
Justin Turner (R) 3B
Edwin Rios (L) DH
Chris Taylor (R) CF
Max Muncy (L) 2B
Gavin Lux (L) LF
Hanser Alberto (R) RF
Austin Barnes (R) C
SP - Mitch White

Diamondbacks:
Daulton Varsho (L) C
Pavin Smith (L) DH
Ketel Marte (S) 2B
Christian Walker (R) 1B
David Peralta (L) LF
Jake McCarthy (L) RF
Alek Thomas (L) CF
Geraldo Perdomo (S) SS
Jake Hager (R) 3B
SP - Humberto Castellanos

Batting average: Freddie Freeman -- .297

Hits: Freddie Freeman -- 49

Home runs: Mookie Betts -- 12

RBI: Mookie Betts -- 30

Wins: Walker Buehler -- 6

Saves: Craig Kimbrel -- 9

ERA: Julio Urias -- 2.49

Batting average: Daulton Varsho -- .268

Hits: Daulton Varsho -- 41

Home runs: Christian Walker -- 11

RBI: Two tied -- 21

Wins: Four tied -- 3

Saves: Mark Melancon -- 10

ERA: Merrill Kelly -- 3.49