Why the D-backs match up well with the Dodgers: By the Numbers

Is there a chance? Could it really happen? Is this a matchup nightmare for the Los Angeles Dodgers?

The Arizona Diamondbacks swept the Dodgers for the first time since 2008 and for L.A. it was the first time they got swept this season.

The truth of the matter is that the Dodgers will probably not lose any sleep about the results of this series considering they lead the D-backs by 16 games in the division and a 10.5 game lead against the rest of the league.

According to Fangraphs Baseball, the Dodgers have a 100 percent chance of winning the division. If the D-backs advance past the wild card round they will most likely play the Dodgers.

The D-backs would be heavy underdogs in that playoff series but ESPN baseball insider Tim Kurkjian joined the Burns & Gambo show on 98.7 FM, Arizona Sports Station before the series against the Dodgers and even then did not rule out the D-backs chances.

“I think the Dodgers are too good, but if they’re (D-backs) healthy, they’re going to be very difficult to beat,” Kurkjian said. “But, anything can happen in this sport, especially in a short series.”

Since the comments made by Kurkjian, the D-backs have won seven straight games including their sweep against the Dodgers. He is not the only baseball insider taking notice of this intriguing NL West battle this season, Buster Olney tweeted out a couple days ago his thoughts between the two teams.

Two simple truths: 1. The Dodgers are the best team in baseball. 2. The Diamondbacks aren’t afraid of the Dodgers, a team they see a lot.

— Buster Olney (@Buster_ESPN) August 31, 2017

The idea of thumping the Dodgers out of the playoffs became more of a reality with each passing game of the series. Looking closer at the numbers, the D-backs play L.A. better than any other club in the league.

80

Through the first 132 games, the Dodgers as a team have given up the fewest amount of runs with 439. The D-backs in 16 games against L.A. have scored 80. If the Dodgers played the D-backs 132 times this season they would allow 660 runs.

16

In this last series against L.A., the D-backs outscored their opponent 16-5 in the first three innings. The Dodgers never led once.

11

For the season, the D-backs in total outscored the Dodgers by 11 runs. The club’s biggest margin of victory was 13-5 in late April and their worst loss was 7-1 in mid-April.

13

The D-backs have the mark for the most runs scored against the Dodgers this season winning 13-5 in late April. The D-backs also had an 11-5 win in the same series. The Atlanta Braves have the second highest mark winning 12-3 in mid-July.

8

The D-backs have the most wins against this Dodgers this season than any other club in the majors. The two teams have spilt the 16 matchups with eight wins each.

5

Of the eight losses against the Dodgers, five of them were decided by one run including the blown loss the club had when they led 4-1 heading into the bottom of the ninth.

6

The D-backs are 6-3 at home against the Dodgers and have won by an average of 4.5 runs in those six wins. The team total run margin between the teams at Chase Field is in favor of the D-backs with 20 runs.

5

The D-backs were outscored 5-0 in the final three innings of games in this series which is not an encouraging number and needs to be addressed before the end of the season. The club does not want to relive the harsh memories of blowing a 4-1 lead in the bottom of the ninth to the Dodgers in early July.

26

The D-backs rival a 26-17 dinger advantage to the Dodgers this season. The most home runs the D-backs have boasted in a game against L.A. was four in late April. In addition, the club has cracked six of their homers off of Dodgers starting pitcher Kenta Maeda this season.

6

In games where D-backs first baseman Paul Goldschmidt has at least one RBI, the club boasts a 6-2 record against the Dodgers and in games where he is not able to contribute an RBI, the D-backs are 2-6. Goldshmidt has 13 RBIs against the Dodgers so far this season.

The D-backs will play their final regular season series against L.A. this Monday in Los Angeles.