Posted on
4/7/2008 5:47:50 PM
MLB Betting Call To Arms As Diamondbacks Host Dodgers
By Eric Williams
The Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers have stymied opponents in the early going so far as each team’s respective pitching staff has been overwhelming National League hitters almost since opening day for each club.
The Dodgers lead the majors with a 1.70 ERA while the Diamondbacks are ranked third in team ERA, at 2.83.
The Diamondbacks are coming off a three-game sweep of NL West rivals, the Colorado Rockies, including a 5-2 win on Sunday that gave the team little bit of payback after Colorado swept them in last year's NLCS.
"This sets the tone for the year, just coming here and winning three games at their place, especially after what they did to us last year," third baseman Mark Reynolds said.
The Dodgers took two of three games from the San Diego Padres over the weekend, including Sunday’s 3-2 victory that came on Chin-lung Hu's tiebreaking single in the ninth inning.
"It's great to come on the road and win a series, especially against a quality opponent," new Los Angeles manager Joe Torre said.
The Diamondbacks will watch their newest addition to their starting rotation, right-hander Dan Haren, (0-0, 4.50 ERA), take the mound against Dodgers starter Esteban Loaiza (0-1, 3.38) who is making his first start of the season after giving up one run on two hits in 2 2-3 innings of relief in Wednesday's 2-1 loss to the San Francisco Giants.
Haren, who will make his first career appearance at Chase Field, allowed three runs on four hits in six innings against the Cincinnati Reds last Wednesday but didn’t get a decision as Cincy’s Edwin Encarnacion hit a game-ending three-run homer in the ninth, to give the D-Backs a 6-5 loss.
Loaiza has had no success against the Diamondbacks in his career, going 0-4 with a 6.16 ERA in seven starts against them. The right-hander went 0-2 with a 9.35 in two starts versus Arizona last season.
The Dodgers went 10-8 against the Diamondbacks in 2007, and won six of nine in Arizona.
Here is a look at tonight’s key trends followed by my MLB Betting Free Picks:
Key Dodgers Trends
The Dodgers are 9-1 in their last ten Monday games.
The Dodgers are 5-2 in their last seven games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.
The Dodgers are 25-52 in their last 77 games as a road underdog.
Key Diamondbacks Trends
The Diamondbacks are 4-0 in their last four games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
The Diamondbacks are 5-1 in their last six games as a home favorite.
The Diamondbacks are 5-1 in their last six home games following a road trip of seven or more days.
Key Totals Trends
The Over is 10-2 in Dodgers last 12 during game one of a series.
The Under is 4-1 in Dodgers last five vs. National League West.
The Under is 4-1 in Dodgers last five overall.
The Under is 4-0 in Diamondbacks last four during game one of a series.
The Over is 4-0 in Diamondbacks last four games vs. a starter with a WHIP less than 1.15.
The Under is 7-1 in Diamondbacks last eight games vs. a right-handed starter.
Key Head-to-Head Trends
The Under is 4-1 in the last five meetings.
The Dodgers are 8-3 in the last eleven meetings in Arizona.
Analysis: This pick is an absolute ‘no-brainer’ as the Diamondbacks will win this contest fairly easily with Haren on the mound – and the mediocre Loaiza going for the Dodgers.
MLB Free Picks: Diamondbacks 5 Dodgers 2
09:40 PM EST MLB Lines
Los Angeles Dodgers
Esteban Loaiza - R +1½ -160
Arizona Diamondbacks
Dan Haren - R -1½ +140
Over 8½ -120
Under 8½ EV
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