Arizona Diamondbacks vs Los Angeles Dodgers Analysis<\/h2>\n
The Arizona Diamondbacks host the Los Angeles Dodgers in the first of a three game set. Arizona dropped two of three to the Rockies in Colorado, while the Dodgers won two of three from the Padres in San Diego.<\/p>\n
Southpaw Tyler Anderson gets the start for LA, and rookie right-hander Ryne Nelson takes the bump for the Snakes, first pitch at Chase Field scheduled for 9:40 PM EDT \/ 6:40 PM PDT.<\/p>\n
The Dodgers officially punched their playoff ticket over the weekend, and look to have the #1 wrapped up as they’re 8 games ahead of the second-seed Mets. Arizona is out of the playoff hunt this year, but scored a combined 23 runs in three games in the altitude of Coors Canaveral.<\/p>\n
Tyler Anderson Taking Out The Opposition<\/h3>\n
LA is a -215 favorite, Arizona is a +178 underdog and the over\/under sits at 9. Although Ryne Nelson had a great major league debut, going 7.0 shutout innings with seven strikeouts and giving up just four hits, he now faces one of the best teams in MLB.<\/p>\n
Tyler Anderson has been a key part of the Dodgers rotation this year, especially with the injuries to Walker Buehler and Clayton Kershaw. And he’s had a really good season with a 14-3 record, 2.73 ERA, 1.03 WHIP and 117 strikeouts in 154.2 innings. The southpaw has averaged over 6.0 frames per start and has only allowed 30 walks and 13 home runs on the year.<\/p>\n
He started his career with the Rockies for four years, then went to the Giants, Pirates and Mariners before finding pitching success in LA.<\/p>\n
The Dodgers lineup is one of – if not the best – in baseball, as they have the highest team OPS, team OPS against right-handers, and team OPS against right-handers the last 30 days. That doesn’t bode well for Ryne Nelson, who will make his second major league start tonight. Young pitchers always have ups and downs, which is part of the learning curve; and it looks like he’s probably due for some negative regression tonight.<\/p>\n
Lovullo Looks For Manager Of Year Title<\/h3>\n
The Diamondbacks are one the most improved teams in MLB this season after their 51-win campaign last year.<\/p>\n
Torey Lovullo should be considered for Manager of the Year, and Mike Hazen should be considered for Executive of the Year. Hazen had a plan to develop young players and bring them along, and that plan appears to be working like a charm (except for the bullpen).<\/p>\n
Although his team didn’t have great stats during the year – and a lot of issues with relief pitching – Lovullo still figured out a way to win enough ball games with this flawed team.<\/p>\n
Arizona Diamondbacks vs Los Angeles Dodgers Prediction<\/h2>\n
Big Blue is the better team with the better starting pitcher, and Ryne Nelson steps way up in class from a struggling Padres club to a World Series contender.<\/p>\n
The Dodgers should score runs Chicago-style off Nelson tonight, early and often. That’s why I like the Dodgers 1st 5 innings team total over 2.5 runs scored.<\/p>\n
Prediction: Dodgers 1st 5 Innings Over 2.5 Runs Scored<\/strong><\/p>\n \n \n Join Drew Martin and a rotating panel of guests for First Pitch as we break down the daily baseball slate from a betting perspective. Join WagerTalk’s team of MLB betting experts every weekday at 1:45pm ET \/ 10:45am PT for First Pitch as we discuss the baseball betting slate.<\/p>\nFirst Pitch | MLB Predictions for Monday, September 12<\/h3>\n
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