by Rod Pearson
Thursday, Aug 06, 2026
Game Time: 9:40 pm ET, Friday, August 7, 2026
Venue: Chase Field, Phoenix, AZ
Where to Watch: MLB TV
Opening Odds at USA Sportsbooks
DraftKings: Moneyline odds: Dodgers -170, Diamondbacks +140; Over/Under: 9 runs
Bet365: Moneyline odds: Dodgers -170, Diamondbacks +140; Over/Under: 9 runs
BetMGM: Moneyline odds: Dodgers -170, Diamondbacks +140; Over/Under: 9 runs
Season Record
Los Angeles Dodgers: 69-46 (1st place, NL West)
Arizona Diamondbacks: 61-54 (2nd place, NL West)
Do not miss out on our expert handicapper analysis! Vegas Writer is on a HOT STREAK in MLB on a 29-18 MLB RUN for +$9,150 PROFIT! Make sure you check out his picks and many more from the expert handicappers featured in the Shop Picks section.
Recent Form
Los Angeles Dodgers: 2-8 last 10
Arizona Diamondbacks: 6-4 last 10
Los Angeles Dodgers vs Arizona Diamondbacks Preview and Analysis
The Dodgers are entering this series off a loss and got swept in their 3-game series against the Chicago Cubs 3-0 in their last series. They enter this game with a 69-46 record overall and have a road record of 36-23. This is the series opener of a 3-game series with the Diamondbacks on Friday and they have Thursday off as a day of rest. Their offense ranks 1st in the MLB with a .771 OPS. Eric Lauer was their starting pitcher on Wednesday while Roki Sasaki is making his start in this game on Friday. He is 5-5 with a 4.64 ERA this season. His team won their last 5 straight games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season appearance, he allowed 2 ER, 0 HR, and 3 BB with 7 SO on 5 hits through 5.1 IP against the Seattle Mariners.
The Diamondbacks won their 3-game series against the Cleveland Guardians 2-1. They enter this game with a 61-54 record overall and have a home record of 33-23. This is the 1st game of a 3-game series with the Dodgers on Friday with the series finale of their series against the San Diego Padres still to be played on Thursday. The Diamondbacks won the 1st game of that series on Monday, lost the 2nd game on Tuesday, and won the 3rd game on Wednesday. Their offense ranks 21st in the MLB with a .709 OPS. Rookie pitcher Kohl Drake is their starting pitcher on Thursday while Merrill Kelly is making his start in this game on Friday. He is 8-9 with a 5.04 ERA this season. His team lost their last 2 straight games this season with him making an appearance. In his last MLB regular season start, he allowed 5 earned runs, 1 homer, and 4 walks with 5 strikeouts on 8 hits through 5 innings pitched against the Cleveland Guardians.
Dodgers vs Diamondbacks Prediction
The current betting odds have the Dodgers listed as a favorite in this game according to Draftkings Sportsbook. The Dodgers have looked great in their games this season with their 69-46 record overall which has them right at the top of the NL West with one of the best records in MLB. They have been a great road team too with their 36-23 road record this year. Meanwhile, the Diamondbacks have looked good in their games this season with their 61-54 record overall which has them right near the top of the NL West. They have looked good in their own ballpark too with their 33-23 home record this season. The Diamondbacks have been rolling lately, now 6-4 in their last 10 games, and the Dodgers haven't looked great. The Dodgers are 2-8 in their last 10 games and just got swept in back-to-back series', but they will be looking to pull themselves out of this funk. They are going with Sasaki in this one and he hasn't looked great this season. He is 5-5 with a 4.64 ERA, but lately he has looked a lot better. He only gave up 2 earned runs in his last start which is starting to become a common theme for him and the team has been having lots of success with him lately, winning 5 games in a row now with him starting. The Diamondbacks are going with Kelly in this one and he hasn't looked great this year. He is 8-9 with a 5.04 ERA and he has been giving up a ton of runs all season. He gave up 5 earned runs in his last start which has been a common theme for him and the team has lost 2 games in a row now with him starting. The Dodgers still have one of the best offenses in the league and they are too good a team to let this skid turn into an extended losing streak. The best way to place a bet here is on the Dodgers to win this game.
Dodgers Diamondbacks Prediction: Our MLB Pick for Friday, August 7, 2026 (9:40 pm ET start time) is Dodgers 9 Diamondbacks 5.
Don't miss our champion handicappers free picks, best bets, and expert baseball picks today. And if you enjoyed this Los Angeles Dodgers Arizona Diamondbacks prediction, be sure to drop by every day for our daily MLB projections and previews.
MLB Betting Trends
Los Angeles Dodgers: 284-188 (-23.5 units) on the moneyline in all games. 196-129 (-15.6 units) on the moneyline against right-handed starters. 143-100 (-26.8 units) on the moneyline vs. an NL team with a team batting average of .255 or worse. 23-14 UNDER against division opponents.
Arizona Diamondbacks: 229-210 (+8.6 units) on the moneyline in all games. 77-63 (+13.4 units) on the moneyline against division opponents. 163-147 (+7.3 units) on the moneyline against right-handed starters. 7-3 UNDER when playing against a good team (Win Pct. 54% to 62%).
Key Injuries
Los Angeles Dodgers: F. Freeman (1B) Day To Day - Wrist. D. Rushing (C) Ten Day IL - Arm. W. Klein (RP) Fifteen Day IL - Elbow. W. Smith (C) Sixty Day IL - Neck. K. Bubic (SP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. B. Treinen (RP) Fifteen Day IL - Elbow. B. Graterol (RP) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder. B. Snell (SP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. B. Casparius (RP) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder. T. Glasnow (SP) Sixty Day IL - Back. J. Cousins (RP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. G. Stone (SP) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder. B. Miller (SP) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder.
Arizona Diamondbacks: R. Thompson (RP) Fifteen Day IL - Back. D. Jameson (RP) Fifteen Day IL - Hip. Z. Gallen (SP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. L. Gurriel Jr. (LF) Ten Day IL - Adductor. T. Troy (LF) Ten Day IL - Shoulder. J. Lawlar (LF) Ten Day IL - Hamstring. M. Soroka (SP) Fifteen Day IL - Lower-Body. R. Nelson (SP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. B. Walston (SP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. C. Mena (SP) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder. A. Puk (RP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. C. Burnes (SP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. J. Martinez (RP) Sixty Day IL - Elbow. A. Saalfrank (RP) Sixty Day IL - Shoulder.
Notable Quotes
"A week ago [the standings] looked a lot different, and another week from now it could look even more different. So you just got to kind of put your head down and play baseball." - Dave Roberts after his team’s loss against the Cubs in their game on Wednesday.
"Pretty special night for Mitch. Got his first Major League win against that type of an offensive team. Seven super clean innings, one hit. A lot was going right for him." - Torey Lovullo after his team’s win against the Padres in their game on Wednesday.
Starting Lineups
Los Angeles Dodgers
Shohei Ohtani (L) DH
Andy Pages (R) CF
Freddie Freeman (L) 1B
Tommy Edman (S) LF
Kyle Tucker (L) RF
Mookie Betts (R) SS
Max Muncy (L) 3B
Miguel Rojas (R) 2B
Hunter Feduccia (L) C
Arizona Diamondbacks
Lars Nootbaar (L) LF
Corbin Carroll (L) RF
Geraldo Perdomo (S) SS
Gabriel Moreno (R) DH
Tim Tawa (R) 3B
Ildemaro Vargas (S) 2B
James McCann (R) C
Tyler Locklear (R) 1B
Ryan Waldschmidt (R) CF
Statistical Leaders
Los Angeles Dodgers
Batting Average: Freddie Freeman (.310)
Hits: Freddie Freeman (131)
Home Runs: Shohei Ohtani (26)
RBI: Andy Pages (74)
Stolen Bases: Andy Pages (10)
Wins: Justin Wrobleski (11)
Saves: Tanner Scott (16)
ERA: Shohei Ohtani (1.79)
Arizona Diamondbacks
Batting Average: Jordan Lawlar (.316)
Hits: Ketel Marte (109)
Home Runs: Ketel Marte (19)
RBI: Ketel Marte (62)
Stolen Bases: Geraldo Perdomo (17)
Wins: Eduardo Rodriguez (10)
Saves: Paul Sewald (24)
ERA: Gerardo Carrillo (1.00)
Managers:
Los Angeles Dodgers: Dave Roberts (11th season)
Arizona Diamondbacks: Torey Lovullo (10th season)
Rod Pearson
About the Author:
Rod Pearson has been a rabid sports fan his entire life. He grew up in Ontario, and was skilled in both hockey and baseball, and pitched in an elite baseball league for many years. In 2022, Rod decided to hang up his glove, so that he could write about the sports he loves -- but from a gambling perspective. Join Rod every day as he breaks down the games to find the best betting value.
