First pitch is 8:40 PM CT at Chase Field, kicking off a four-game set between the NL West leaders and a Diamondbacks club that's been quietly hanging around at 31-27. Emmet Sheehan (3-1, 4.70) takes the ball for LA off a six-inning, eight-strikeout no-decision against the Rockies. Eduardo Rodriguez (5-1, 2.31) counters in what's become a full-blown career renaissance season.
Rodriguez is the story here. After ERAs north of 5.00 in each of his first 2 years in the desert, he's suddenly the most reliable arm in Torey Lovullo's rotation — 2.31 ERA across 11 starts, with multiple outings going 7-plus innings. His last time out he held the Giants to 2 runs over 6 with the W. Sheehan, meanwhile, is making his first career start at Chase, which is not exactly the friendliest debut address in baseball.
The Dodgers offense has been absurd lately — 66 runs over the recent 11-game stretch. Andy Pages leads the majors with 50 RBIs, Max Muncy already has 14 homers, and Ohtani has gone 24-for-61 with 4 bombs over his last 17. Arizona's counter-punch is Corbin Carroll (8 triples already) and a red-hot Ketel Marte, who's 16-for-42 with 11 RBI over his last 10.
The catch is the Dodgers' infirmary. Blake Snell and Tyler Glasnow are still out, Teoscar Hernandez is shelved another month with the hamstring, and Enrique Hernandez just got the dreaded 6-to-8 weeks news on a significant oblique tear from that Rockies game. Arizona has its own issues — Corbin Burnes, Pavin Smith, James McCann, Lourdes Gurriel Jr. — but Pavin Smith could potentially return at some point during this very series per Lovullo.
- 10-Day-ILTeoscar Hernandez LF — Hernandez (hamstring) said Saturday that he expects to return from the injured list in about a month, Jack Harris of the California Post reports.
- 10-Day-ILEnrique Hernandez 1B — Hernandez is expected to be out for 6-to-8 weeks after sustaining a "significant tear" of his left oblique during Tuesday's 15-6 win over the Rockies, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
- 15-Day-ILBrock Stewart RP — Stewart faced live hitters early this past week but is still experiencing discomfort in his left foot, MLB.com reports.
- 15-Day-ILTyler Glasnow SP — Dodgers manager Dave Roberts relayed Saturday that Glasnow (back) "hasn't gotten over the hump" to increase his throwing progression beyond playing catch, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
- 60-Day-ILTommy Edman 2B — Through three rehab games with Triple-A Oklahoma City, Edman (ankle) has gone 4-for-9 with two runs and a 1:3 BB:K.
- 60-Day-ILBlake Snell SP — Snell (elbow) will undergo the same "nano scope" procedure Tuesday that Tarik Skubal had earlier in May, Alden Gonzalez of ESPN.com reports.
- 60-Day-ILEvan Phillips RP — Phillips (elbow) is facing hitters Tuesday for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
- 60-Day-ILEdwin Diaz RP — Diaz (elbow) is expected to start a throwing progression Tuesday or Wednesday, Fabian Ardaya of The Athletic reports.
- Day-To-DayA.J. Vukovich CF — no
- Day-To-DayDerek Law RP — no
- Day-To-DaySpencer Giesting SP
- Day-To-DayKyle Amendt RP — Amendt was invited to major-league spring training by the Diamondbacks, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports.
- 10-Day-ILLourdes Gurriel Jr. LF — Gurriel's hamstring injury is believed to be fairly minor, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports. Manager Torey Lovullo said Saturday the hope is Gurriel will be able to return from the injured list when first eligible.
- 10-Day-ILJames McCann C — Manager Torey Lovullo said Tuesday that McCann (quad) will likely be sidelined for 4-to-6 weeks, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.
- 10-Day-ILCarlos Santana 1B — Santana suffered a setback with his right adductor strain Sunday while on a rehab assignment with Triple-A Reno, Nick Piecoro of The Arizona Republic reports.
- 60-Day-ILJordan Lawlar LF — Lawlar (wrist) started in center field and went 1-for-1 with a double, a walk and a hit by pitch for the Diamondbacks' Arizona Complex League affiliate Saturday, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports.
The market has LA at -155 with a total of 8.5, which feels about right given Rodriguez's form holding the under side honest. The Diamondbacks just dropped 3 of their last 4 to Seattle, including back-to-back close losses, so they're walking in a little wobbly. But Chase Field plus a pitcher locked in like E-Rod is exactly the kind of spot where a road favorite gets bit.
Give me Rodriguez to keep this one tight into the late innings. The Dodgers will probably still find a way — they always do — but if Arizona is going to steal a game in this series, this is the night their best arm is on the mound against an LA starter pitching in this ballpark for the first time.