MLB Game Preview: Arizona Diamondbacks (68-69) vs. Los Angeles Dodgers (77-59)

Venue & Game Info

• Date: Sunday, August 31, 2025
• First Pitch: 1:10 PM PT / 4:10 PM ET
• Venue: Dodger Stadium, 1000 Vin Scully Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90012
• Surface: Natural grass
• Broadcast: SportsNet LA (LAD), Bally Sports Arizona, MLB.TV

Weather Update

• Conditions: Outdoor venue; sunny and warm.
• Forecast at First Pitch: ~84°F (29°C), light SW breeze 5–7 mph, humidity ~45%.
• Impact: Ideal hitting weather; warm temps could give the ball extra carry, especially to left‑center.

Injury Report

Arizona Diamondbacks:

• Pavin Smith (OF) – 10‑Day IL (quadriceps)
• Anthony DeSclafani (RHP) – 15‑Day IL (thumb)
• Kevin Ginkel (RHP) – 60‑Day IL (shoulder)
• Tommy Henry (LHP) – 60‑Day IL (elbow)
• Ryan Thompson (RHP) – 15‑Day IL (scapular strain)
• Cristian Mena (RHP) – 60‑Day IL (shoulder)
• Corbin Burnes (RHP) – 60‑Day IL (elbow)
• A.J. Puk (LHP) – 60‑Day IL (elbow)
• Blake Walston (LHP) – 60‑Day IL (elbow)

Los Angeles Dodgers:

• Alex Vesia (LHP) – 15‑Day IL (oblique)
• Max Muncy (INF) – 10‑Day IL (oblique)
• Brock Stewart (RHP) – 15‑Day IL (shoulder)
• Tommy Edman (INF/OF) – 10‑Day IL (ankle)
• Hyeseong Kim (INF) – 10‑Day IL (shoulder)
• Michael Kopech (RHP) – 60‑Day IL (knee)
• Roki Sasaki (RHP) – 60‑Day IL (shoulder)
• Tony Gonsolin (RHP) – 60‑Day IL (elbow)
• Evan Phillips (RHP) – 60‑Day IL (forearm)
• Kyle Hurt (RHP) – 60‑Day IL (elbow)
• Michael Grove (RHP) – 60‑Day IL (shoulder)
• Brusdar Graterol (RHP) – 60‑Day IL (shoulder)
• River Ryan (RHP) – 60‑Day IL (elbow)
• Gavin Stone (RHP) – 60‑Day IL (shoulder)

Probable Pitchers

• ARI: RHP Brandon Pfaadt (12‑8, 5.24 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, 117 K)
  • Fly‑ball pitcher; vulnerable to HRs (22 allowed in 142.2 IP).
  • Career vs. LAD: 2‑2, 4.50 ERA in 5 starts.
• LAD: RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto (11‑8, 2.90 ERA, 1.07 WHIP, 157 K)

• Excellent command (48 BB in 139.2 IP) and elite splitter; .215 opponent AVG.
• Home ERA: 2.65 in 12 starts at Dodger Stadium.

Recent Form

Arizona Diamondbacks – Last 10: 7‑3

• Batting .248 with a 3.36 ERA in that span; +14 run differential.
• Won 4 straight before Saturday’s loss.

Los Angeles Dodgers – Last 10: 5‑5

• Batting .211 with a 3.62 ERA; +6 run differential.
• Have alternated wins and losses over last 6 games.

Series History

• 2025 Season Series: Arizona leads 5‑4 entering finale.
• Last 10 meetings: 5‑5 split.
• Dodgers 44‑26 at home; D‑backs 34‑37 on the road.

Key Player Matchups

• Shohei Ohtani (LAD) vs. Brandon Pfaadt
  • Ohtani: 45 HR, .438 SLG, 85 RBI; elite vs. RHP.
  • Pfaadt: Opponents slugging .500+ on pitches up in the zone.
• Freddie Freeman (LAD) vs. D‑backs Bullpen
  • Freeman: 11‑for‑38 (.289) last 10 games with 4 2B, 3 HR.
• Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (ARI) vs. Yoshinobu Yamamoto
  • Gurriel: 11‑for‑39 (.282) last 10 games with 3 HR, 11 RBI.
• Geraldo Perdomo (ARI) vs. Dodgers Middle Relief
• Perdomo: 27 2B, 15 HR; contact bat who can set table for middle order.

Betting Trends

Arizona Diamondbacks:

• 4‑1 in last 5 games as underdog.
• Over is 5‑5 in last 10 overall.

Los Angeles Dodgers:

• 6‑4 in last 10 home games.
• Under is 6‑4 in last 10 overall.

Head‑to‑Head:

• Over is 3‑2 in last 5 meetings at Dodger Stadium.
• Season series tight at 5‑4 in favor of Arizona.

Suggested Wagering Model

Primary Lean: Dodgers Moneyline (‑226)

• Yamamoto’s home dominance + LAD’s urgency to even season series.

Secondary Lean: Under 8.5 Runs (‑110)

• Both starters capable of deep outings; recent Under trends for LAD.

Prop Angle: Shohei Ohtani Anytime HR (+300)

• Pfaadt’s HR susceptibility + Ohtani’s power vs. RHP.