Dodgers at Diamondbacks
After being swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series last year, the Arizona Diamondbacks are eager to start a new chapter in the burgeoning rivalry. They’ll get their chance Monday as they begin a three-game series against the visiting Dodgers, who were shut out in each of their first two games against San Francisco before responding with back-to-back wins.
Nick Ahmed is batting .455 with a home run and five RBIs for Arizona, which opened the season by scoring a total of 17 runs in two wins against Colorado before losing 2-1 in Saturday’s series finale. Paul Goldschmidt is hitless in his first eight at-bats, but the five-time All-Star is a career .310 hitter with 28 home runs against the Dodgers, who have won the NL West each of the last five seasons. “We always enjoy it when the Dodgers come to town,” Arizona manager Torey Lovullo told reporters. “We also enjoy gearing up against them, especially knowing that they’re the National League champions, so we’re excited. It’ll be a great challenge for us. It’s the Dodgers. It’s special, and we know that.” The Dodgers clearly are missing Justin Turner (broken left wrist), but Cody Bellinger provided a spark in Sunday’s 9-0 win over the Giants with a two-run blast homer.
TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles), FS Arizona
PITCHING MATCHUP: Dodgers LH Hyun-Jin Ryu (2017: 5-9, 3.77 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks RH Taijuan Walker (9-9, 3.49)
Ryu battled through a variety of injuries last season and posted a career-worst ERA over 126 2/3 innings. The 31-year-old South Korean retained his spot in the rotation despite struggling in spring training, where he finished with a 7.04 ERA over 15 1/3 frames in four games. Goldschmidt is 9-for-21 with two home runs against Ryu, who is 3-3 with a 3.77 ERA in 10 career starts versus the Diamondbacks - including a 2-2 record and 4.80 ERA in five at Chase Field.
Walker appears poised to become an elite starter this season after posting a 3.32 ERA with 74 strikeouts in 76 innings over the second half last year. The 25-year-old recorded a 4.32 ERA over 16 2/3 frames in five starts during the spring. Walker owns a 2-1 record with a 4.79 ERA in four career starts against the Dodgers after going 2-0 with a 3.24 ERA in three turns last season.
WALK-OFFS
1. Arizona has won its last six regular-season meetings with the Dodgers by a combined score of 40-13.
2. Los Angeles' starting pitchers allowed one run while recording 27 strikeouts over 25 innings in their first four games.
3. Arizona plays 18 of its first 21 contests against NL West rivals.