Diamondbacks vs Dodgers Prediction, Picks, & Odds for Tonight’s MLB Game

The Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers are ready for Game 2 of their series tonight.

Game 1 was a thriller, with L.A. grabbing a 6-5 walk-off victory, but my Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers predictions expect the hosts to have a more convincing win tonight. Find out why in my MLB picks for July 3.

Diamondbacks vs Dodgers prediction

My best bet
Dodgers -1.5 (+105 at bet365)

My analysis
For a team with plenty of starting pitching injuries, it has been a welcoming sight for the Los Angeles Dodgers that second-year arm Gavin Stone has blossomed in 2024. The 25-year-old has a superb 2.73 ERA through 15 starts and is finding his groove, most recently pitching a complete game shutout against the Chicago White Sox while allowing just four hits and notching seven strikeouts. 

He’s allowed two earned runs or fewer in eight of his last 10 starts. One of the exceptions came on May 21 against the Arizona Diamondbacks, so he’ll be eager to even the score tonight. 

Stone excels at limiting hard contact, ranking in the 84th percentile in hard-hit rate and the 86th percentile in barrel rate. While not necessarily known as a high-K pitcher, he’s long had strong underlying numbers (80th percentile chase rate), and it’s now starting to pay off. Stone has punched out at least five batters in six of his last seven outings.

Meanwhile, Arizona has run out of starting pitchers. It’s expected 21-year-old Cristian Mena will make his debut after joining the taxi squad. He’s the organization’s 10th-best prospect and was expected to join the Big League roster at some point in 2024, so he’s not a surprise name. 

Mena posted a 4.90 ERA and 5.66 FIP across 82 2/3 IP in AAA this year, a continuation of iffy performance in his brief Minor League career — his ERA has finished below 4.65 at just one of seven different stops. The young righty struggles with his command, posting a 10.4% walk rate this season and a 1.49 WHIP.

The Dodgers have the better lineup against RHP and a much better bullpen, so I’m backing them to win by at least two.

Diamondbacks vs Dodgers same-game parlay (SGP)

Dodgers -1.5

Gavin Stone Over 4.5 strikeouts

Shohei Ohtani Over 1.5 total bases

+395 at DraftKings

I circled Stone as a player who was due to rack up more strikeouts than he was currently getting. After posting more than 10 Ks per nine innings at every stop in the Minors, he had a measly 6.4 per nine last year despite a strong 14.4% swinging strike rate. 

He’s finally started to turn those swings and misses into strikeouts, averaging 6.0 Ks in his last six starts. The D-backs are difficult to strike out (17.8% K rate against RHP in the last 15 days), but Stone notched five strikeouts against them in his first matchup and has been rolling ever since. 

Shohei Ohtani has been on fire lately, homering seven times in his last 10 games while averaging 3.4 total bases in that span. It’s hard not to fancy his chances here against a debutant pitcher who often fails to command the strike zone. 

Learn how to bet a same-game parlay with these helpful tips and strategies.

Diamondbacks vs Dodgers odds

Diamondbacks vs Dodgers live odds

Diamondbacks vs Dodgers opening odds

• Run line: Arizona +1.5 (-150) | Los Angeles -1.5 (+125)
• Moneyline: Arizona +135 | Los Angeles -160
• Over/Under: Over 8.5 (-110) | Under 8.5 (-110)

Diamondbacks vs Dodgers spread and Over/Under analysis

• The Dodgers have cashed their first five Innings (F5) moneyline in 10 of their last 15 home games.
• The Diamondbacks have only covered the run line in 33 of their last 76 games. 
• The Diamondbacks have only hit the Under in 10 of their last 29 games. 

Diamondbacks vs Dodgers trend

The Dodgers are 10-1 in Stone’s last 11 starts, covering the run line in eight of those victories. Find more MLB betting trends for Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers

Diamondbacks vs Dodgers game info

Diamondbacks vs Dodgers latest injuries

Diamondbacks vs Dodgers weather

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