Free MLB Picks Today: Los Angeles Dodgers vs Arizona Diamondbacks 9/20/22 (Game 1)

Hot-hitting Trea Turner will be looking to extend his 15-game hitting streak as the Los Angeles Dodgers (102-44) host the Arizona Diamondbacks (68-79) at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday in a doubleheader. The Dodgers took Monday’s series opener 5-2, their 12th head-to-head victory in 15 games this season. Clayton Kershaw went six innings for the win, allowing one run on six hits and striking out 10. Joey Gallo went 2 for 3 with a home run, two runs, and two RBIs in the win. Gavin Lux went 3 for 4 with one run. Carson Kelly was 2 for 3 with a double and one run for the Diamondbacks.

ON THE MOUND

Zach Davies (2-4, 3.74 ERA) is in line to start for Arizona in the first game of the doubleheader. The RHP takes on the Dodgers in back-to-back starts. On Wednesday, he allowed two runs over 5.1 innings, a 5-3 road win. He yielded four hits while striking out four and walking one in the no-decision. Over four previous starts against the Dodgers this season, Davies has allowed 13 earned runs over 18.2 innings (0-2, 6.27). He has struck out 14 and walked seven. For Los Angeles, RHP Michael Grove (0-0, 5.79 ERA) will toe the rubber. His only prior start against the Diamondbacks this season was his last time out, when Grove gave up two runs over five innings in a 5-3 road defeat on Wednesday. He gave up two hits and walked one, while striking out four in the no-decision.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Arizona has averaged only 2.0 runs a game, down from their season average of 4.4, while performing worse across the board (.188/.198/.331). Against right-handed pitchers like Grove this season, the D-backs have a .704 OPS. Daulton Varsho is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .813 OPS in 376 at-bats. Los Angeles is averaging only 4.8 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 5.4 for the season. The Dodgers have a .796 OPS against right-handers in 2022, highest in the league. With a .972 OPS over 397 at-bats, Freddie Freeman has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Arizona is 29-40 in away games in 2022, scoring 4.3 runs per game while allowing 4.7 runs. Los Angeles has won three in a row at their home park. The Dodgers are 50-18 at home this season, averaging 5.5 runs per game while surrendering 3.4. In the last 10 meetings at Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles is unbeaten with an average scoreline of 8.1-3.1.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Dodgers lead the NL West by 21 games over the Padres. Their magic number in the division is zero. The Diamondbacks are fourth in the NL West, 34 games behind the Dodgers. They are sixth in the Wild Card race, 12 games out of third.