Lineups
Both the Diamondbacks and Rockies have lethal lineups and playing the Rockies would mean going to the horror house that is Coors Field. Let’s take a look at how both teams have hit against the Dodgers this season:
Dbacks – .250 AVG, .319 OBP, .782 OPS, 32 HR
Rockies – .252 AVG, .313 OBP, .729 OPS, 18 HR
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The numbers are pretty close, but the Diamondbacks are better at getting on base along with better at hitting for power against the Dodgers. Both teams feature multiple MVP candidates as the Diamondbacks have JD Martinez and Paul Goldschmidt, while the Rockies have Nolan Arenado and Charlie Blackmon.
Despite both teams having numerous power hitters, the Dodgers would much rather face the Rockies than the Diamondbacks as the Dodgers have been tormented by JD Martinez and Paul Goldschmidt this season.
Martinez had a four home run game against Los Angeles, and Goldschmidt has made an excellent living squaring off LA. Also, Martinez has been absolute supernova since arriving at the desert. The Dbacks also have an excellent third power hitter in Jake Lamb who is having a career year.
After breaking down the three core elements between the Dbacks and Rockies, it should be pretty clear that the Dodgers should be rooting for the Rockies to win the wild card game rather than the Diamondbacks.
While Los Angeles won’t be afraid to face either team, they would be better off avoiding Greinke, Ray, Goldschmidt and Martinez in the playoffs. Despite their reputation for being Dodger killers, Nolan Arenado and Charlie Blackmon would be a welcome sight as it would mean avoiding the Diamondbacks.
Next: Darvish heating up at the right time
The Dbacks are better equipped to give Los Angeles a tough time in the NLDS and possibly pull off an upset.