None of that changes the fact that the Diamondbacks have been finding ways to win series at home lately, and a desperate Dodgers team walking into 107-degree heat isn't the most comfortable spot for a club that's forgotten how to hit.
Five straight losses is five straight losses no matter the record sitting above it, and Dave Roberts has openly questioned his lineup's fight after getting run out of Wrigley. The bullpen hasn't helped either, and until somebody starts stringing together quality at-bats, Sasaki's stuff can only carry this team so far.
Arizona's not exactly whole either, but it split its last four with San Diego and got a jolt from newly acquired Lars Nootbaar, who delivered his first hit and RBI as a Diamondback during a 10-4 win. If Kelly can give Arizona length after a rough five-inning, five-run outing his last time out, this is a winnable series opener for a team that still believes it's playing meaningful August baseball.