Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers prediction and odds for Opening Day (How to bet total)

Mar 28, 2023; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts (50) runs to
Mar 28, 2023; Anaheim, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts (50) runs to / Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports
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The Los Angeles Dodgers start their 2023 campaign on Opening Day against National League West foe Arizona Diamondbacks.

Los Angeles will look to make it another NL West winning year, headlined by the likes of Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman and the emerging Opening Day starter Julio Urias on the mound. However, the Diamondbacks will look to bust out of its rebuild and become a playoff contender in 2023, can they compete in the season opener?

Arizona will start Cy Young candidate Zac Gallen on Thursday night in Los Angeles. How should we bet this matchup?

Here are the odds in what should be an exciting pitcher's duel that can set the tone for their Cy Young seasons:

Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers odds, spread and total

Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers prediction and pick

The Diamondbacks lineup is going to be far better in 2023 than the past few years. The team made some savvy offseason moves, bringing in slugger Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and former AL Rookie of the Year Kyle Lewis, who hasn't been able to stay healthy since 2020.

Further, the team has the second choice to win NL Rookie of the Year, Corbin Carroll, starting in left field.

The D-Backs offense will hope the offense can take a step forward to provide some support for Gallen and the team's rotation, but the Dodgers lineup is far more talented.

L.A. led the big leagues in on-base percentage last season and also has the power to suppport its discipline at the dish, posting the second best slugging percentage. While the likes of Trea Turner are off the team, Betts, Freeman and offseason signing J.D. Martinez are on the roster to still tee off on opposing pitching.

The Diamondbacks bullpen is still a big concern for the roster, the team was sixth in ERA as a unit last season, and the Dodgers offense can pull away in the later innings.

I'm a believer in the Diamondbacks offense in 2023, but I can't trust the bullpen to keep the Dodgers down for nine innings, so I'll look to the low total and play the over.

Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.