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Dodgers: How LA Matches Up With Arizona in a Playoff Series
After finishing a competitive three-game series with the Diamondbacks in which the Dodgers took two out three, let’s break down this possible playoff matchup.
The Diamondbacks could be a likely matchup in the NLDS for the Dodgers and could be a tough one. The Dbacks are currently a game back of the Rockies for the first wild card spot and have 5.5 game lead over the Cardinals for the second one.
The way things are headed, it looks like the Diamondbacks and Rockies are poised to be the two wild card teams. They both have been sitting comfortably in those two spots ever since the Dodgers took control of the division.
Home-field in the wild card playoff game goes to the team with the best record. In the one game vs. the Rockies, I give the Dbacks the slight advantage because they would have the better starter in Zack Greinke, who is better than anybody Colorado would have to offer.
Whoever wins that game would most likely go on to play the Dodgers in the next round. The Dodgers are 8-5 in 13 games against the Diamondbacks, but the games have been competitive with LA scoring 58 runs, and Arizona 59.
In a recent interview with the Orange County Register Yasiel Puig stated that the Diamondbacks would be a tougher matchup than the Rockies.
“If it’s the Diamondbacks, that’s fine or if it’s Colorado even better. I just know throughout the season, the Diamondbacks seem to play us better. But it doesn’t matter.”
Puig’s statements summarize the mindset of the whole team. The Dodgers are so confident right now they don’t fear anybody or care who they play. But if you gave them a choice they would probably prefer the Rockies in that NLDS.
The biggest problem the Dbacks give the Dodgers is their lineup. Paul Goldschmidt is a notorious Dodger killer, hitting a career .306 with 26 HR against Los Angeles. That is the most HR any player has against the Dodgers, and the most Goldy has hit off any opponent.
The Diamondbacks have also shown a lot of resilience with 40 come from behind wins, which is the most in the majors. For years Goldschmidt was the only player in Arizona’s lineup that you had to worry about, but now with the emergence of Jake Lamb and the addition of JD Martinez, they now possess a lineup that is much deeper.
Pitching wise Arizona has nowhere near the depth of the Dodgers, but still, have three solid starters who are having good years. We know about Greinke and what he can bring, but the other two lesser known guys are Robbie Ray and Zack Godley.
Ray is currently on the DL with a concussion but was an All-Star this year and is 9-5 with a 3.11 ERA in 20 starts. He is a high strikeout pitcher averaging 11.5 SO/9. Against the Dodgers this year he is 1-0 in three starts with a 3.63 ERA and 29 SO in 17.1 innings.
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Godley was someone who wasn’t even on the Opening Day roster but has turned into one of Arizona’s best pitchers. He is 5-4 with a 2.94 ERA in 16 starts and has an excellent 3.18 FIP. Godley this year is 0-1 with a 2.92 ERA in two starts against the Dodgers.
In a five-game series all you really need is three starting pitchers, and if all three are on their game, they could give the Dodgers some problems.
Despite their records, both these teams are statistically closer than one would think. Arizona’s 3.55 team ERA is only second in the NL to the Dodgers who are 3.11. Their team FIP is even closer at 3.72 to the Dodgers’ 3.46.
Offensively they rank 4th, averaging 4.98 runs per game right behind the Dodgers who are at 5.11. This recent series provided a good preview of what a playoff matchup with Arizona would feel like. Obviously, the Dodgers are the better team, but the Dbacks will present some challenges for them and make things difficult.
Next: Revival of Brandon Morrow
Even though it is only August, with the lead the Dodgers have, it’s OK to start looking into possible playoff matchups right now. At this point, the postseason can’t come soon enough.