Ross Stripling Looks to Add to His Impressive Debut with Dodgers
Southern California will host Major League Baseball action on Thursday with a National League West showdown, when the Arizona Diamondbacks visit the Los Angeles Dodgers. The current line has Los Angeles favored at -145 and Arizona at +134. The over/under run total is currently 7.5.
The overall record for Arizona entering this game is 3-6 straight up and against the spread. On the road, the Diamondbacks are 1-1 SU and ATS. Los Angeles on the season is 5-4 SU and ATS. At home, the Dodgers are 1-1 SU and ATS.
Los Angeles will have Ross Stripling their rookie hurler looking to build on a remarkable debut of last week in the third and final game of this series. Stripling threw 7 plus innings last Friday without giving up a hit before leaving after his 100th pitch. Stripling is 0-0 with an ERA of 1.23.
Los Angeles lost two straight prior to beating Arizona on Wednesday 3-1. The Dodgers have had to move Howie Kendrick from second base to left field and put Chase Utley in at second as both Scott Van Slyke and Carl Crawford are out injured.
Arizona hopes Chris Owings its second baseman can boost their lineup. He has been struggling with just 5 hits in 25 at bats to start the season. Robbie Ray will start on the mound for Arizona. The left-hander is 0-0 with an ERA of 3.00.
Ray kept the Chicago Cubs in check during his season debut on Friday giving up 4 hits and two runs while walking four in six innings. In four starts during his career, Ray has a record of 2-2 with an ERA of 2.28 versus the Dodgers.
Stripling gave up one run with four walks and struck out four during his impressive debut versus San Francisco. He was given the opportunity of being the team’s fifth starter over Zach Lee and Carlos Frias despite sitting out the majority of the past two seasons following Tommy John surgery.
Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner is day to day with a sore left hand after he was hit by a pitch Wednesday night.
Arizona shortstop Nick Ahmed has had one hit or more in 11 of his past 12 games against Los Angeles.
Adrian Gonzalez the Los Angeles first baseman has reached base in all nine of the Dodgers’ games this season.
Prediction: The Dodgers have played well to start the season, but their hitting can do with some improvement. Arizona is trying to get used to all the new faces in the lineup. I lean toward the Dodgers in this.
