These teams are probably tired of seeing each other already. Fortunately, the Los Angeles Dodgers (5-3) and Arizona Diamondbacks (4-4) won't meet again until August after this battle. Through the first six meetings, the season series is tied 3-3, with the teams alternating wins. Pending Saturday night's results, one team has the chance to win this four-game set on Sunday afternoon. The game is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. EST and is at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona.
Los Angeles' have only played against the NL West thus far, and after this game, they'll have another series within the division. It's an early opportunity to gain some ground, but also a grueling way to begin the year. They had no problems with the Rockies, but the Diamondbacks have been a different issue.
After splitting the first four games with Arizona at home, the Dodgers traveled to the desert and took the first game of this series on Thursday. They jumped out to a 4-0 lead, and a Freddie Freeman home run in the seventh was a dagger. Dustin May shut down Arizona's lineup for the second time this season, and the rest is history.
Freddie being Freddie. pic.twitter.com/U96y6Evnbq
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) April 7, 2023
The Dodgers have been strong in most aspects, again, as they've jumped out to a winning record early. Although they fell short of a title, Los Angeles won 111 games last season, an incredible feat that very few teams have ever touched. Ranking top-five in run scoring and run prevention already this season, another 100-win season is possible, and they'll hope for a longer October this time around.
Michael Grove will look to improve upon his last start in this game. His 2023 debut saw him allow three runs in 4.0 innings, with the offense bailing him out and leading LA to a win anyway. Grove is still a rookie, with only 33.1 major league innings to his name, but the early returns haven't been encouraging. 10.0 of those innings are against Arizona, and Grove has allowed four homers and seven runs in those two starts. Corbin Carroll went 3-5 with a home run against him last season.