Los Angeles Dodgers vs Arizona Diamondbacks Picks and Prediction for Friday August 7 2026

The Los Angeles Dodgers open a three-game National League West series against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, on Friday, August 7. The first pitch is scheduled for 9:40 p.m. ET, with television coverage available on SportsNet LA, DBACKS.TV and MLB.TV. Los Angeles enters at 69-46 overall and 36-23 on the road, while Arizona is 61-54 overall and 33-23 at home. At the time of this writing the odds were not released. Bettors looking for additional Friday baseball predictions can visit our free MLB picks.

Starting Pitchers

Roki Sasaki is scheduled to start for Los Angeles against Arizona right-hander Merrill Kelly. Sasaki is 5-5 with a 4.64 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP through 99 innings. He has allowed 90 hits while recording 101 strikeouts against 39 walks. Kelly is 8-9 with a 5.04 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP across 114.1 innings, surrendering 124 hits and issuing 46 walks while collecting 76 strikeouts. Although Arizona had not officially announced its starter, Kelly was listed as the projected pitcher.

Dodgers Attempt to End a Six-Game Losing Streak

Los Angeles has lost five consecutive games within the established statistical window and six straight overall. The Dodgers recently suffered a three-game sweep in Chicago, losing 10-5, 5-1 and 7-6. Those defeats followed losses of 3-2 and 8-4 against Boston. Los Angeles scored only 18 runs while allowing 33 across its last five games.  

The Dodgers are batting .262 with 584 runs, 1,017 hits and 149 home runs this season. Los Angeles owns a .339 on-base percentage and a .432 slugging percentage. Its pitching staff has compiled a 3.74 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP while holding opponents to a .219 batting average. Dodgers pitchers have recorded 1,025 strikeouts against 350 walks.

Los Angeles remains statistically dominant despite its current losing streak. The Dodgers lead Arizona by 57 runs, 80 hits and 38 home runs. They also hold advantages of 19 points in batting average, 24 points in on-base percentage and 38 points in slugging percentage. Those differences have helped Los Angeles build a plus-140 run differential.

The recent results are concerning, but the Dodgers have remained productive on the road throughout the season. Los Angeles is 36-23 away from home and has gone 5-5 in ten meetings with Arizona. The Dodgers previously won two of four games at Chase Field and should receive several scoring opportunities against a projected starter carrying a 5.04 ERA and 1.49 WHIP.

Sasaki must provide stability after the pitching staff allowed at least five runs in four of its last five games. His full-season ERA remains above four, but he has pitched considerably better recently. Sasaki allowed only two runs over 5.1 innings in his previous start and has produced a 1.50 ERA across three appearances since the All-Star break.

Diamondbacks Continue Their Strong Push at Chase Field

Arizona has gone 3-2 over its last five completed games. The Diamondbacks recently defeated San Diego 10-4 after losing 9-4 in the previous game. Arizona also earned a 5-1 victory over the Padres after concluding its Cleveland series with a 5-0 loss. The Diamondbacks began this stretch with a 12-8 victory over the Guardians. They scored 31 runs and allowed 27 across those five contests.

The Diamondbacks are batting .243 with 527 runs, 937 hits and 111 home runs. Arizona has produced a .315 on-base percentage and a .394 slugging percentage. Its pitching staff owns a 4.20 ERA, a 1.30 WHIP and a .253 opponent batting average. Diamondbacks pitchers have registered 781 strikeouts while issuing 335 walks.

Arizona’s recent offensive production provides its strongest reason for optimism. The Diamondbacks scored at least five runs in three of their last five games and reached double figures twice. They have also won six of their last eight completed contests and enter the series only eight games behind Los Angeles in the division.

The Diamondbacks have performed particularly well at Chase Field, where they are ten games above .500. Arizona also swept Los Angeles during a three-game series at Dodger Stadium in July, winning by scores of 9-3, 9-2 and 5-3. That success should give the home team confidence against a Dodgers club carrying its longest losing streak of the season.

However, Kelly’s season statistics make him difficult to trust against the league’s highest-average offense. He has allowed 170 combined hits and walks in 114.1 innings and recently surrendered five runs across five frames against Cleveland. Los Angeles has enough depth to punish that amount of traffic if its lineup begins converting scoring opportunities.

Los Angeles Dodgers vs Arizona Diamondbacks Picks and Prediction

• Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5

I am taking Los Angeles on the run line if Sasaki and Kelly remain the starting pitchers. The Dodgers are struggling, but the season-long statistical differences remain substantial. Los Angeles has scored 57 more runs while carrying a team ERA that is 0.46 lower than Arizona’s mark.

The starting matchup also favors the visitors. Sasaki owns advantages in ERA, WHIP and strikeout rate, while Kelly has allowed 124 hits and 46 walks through 114.1 innings. Los Angeles leads Major League Baseball with a .262 batting average and should be capable of creating consistent pressure against Kelly.

Arizona’s recent form and 33-23 home record prevent this from becoming a maximum-confidence selection. The Diamondbacks also swept the previous series between these clubs. Nevertheless, six consecutive losses have created a potential buy-low opportunity on a Dodgers team with a plus-140 run differential and an excellent 36-23 road record.

Los Angeles remains the more complete team, and its lineup should have enough opportunities to create separation during the middle innings. I prefer the Dodgers -1.5 over paying a potentially expensive moneyline price.

• Pick: Over 8.5

I am taking the over if the total is set at 8.5 runs. Arizona’s last five completed games produced an average of 11.6 combined runs, with four reaching at least nine. The Diamondbacks scored 31 runs during that stretch, while Los Angeles allowed 33.

Kelly’s 5.04 ERA and 1.49 WHIP provide the strongest support for the over. The Dodgers average slightly more than five runs per game and possess considerable advantages over Arizona in batting average, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. Los Angeles should be capable of scoring five or six runs against the projected starter and Arizona bullpen.

Sasaki has pitched well recently, but his 4.64 season ERA still leaves room for the Diamondbacks to contribute. Arizona has scored at least five runs in three of its last five games and owns a favorable 33-23 home record. The closed roof will remove weather uncertainty, but it will not eliminate the offensive potential created by these lineups and Kelly’s baserunner numbers.

I would play over 8.5, consider over nine at slightly reduced confidence and pass if the number reaches 9.5. The Dodgers should finally end their losing streak, but Arizona’s recent offense can help push the game beyond the total.

Projected Final Score: Los Angeles Dodgers 6, Arizona Diamondbacks 4

This preview was written prior to game play on Thursday.