Los Angeles Dodgers vs Arizona Diamondbacks Picks and Prediction for Saturday August 8 2026

The Los Angeles Dodgers will visit the Arizona Diamondbacks on Saturday, August 8, 2026, at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona. First pitch is scheduled for 8:10 p.m. ET, with the game available on MLB.TV. Los Angeles enters the weekend at 69-46 overall and 36-23 on the road, while Arizona is 61-55 overall and 33-24 at home. The Dodgers are -171 on the moneyline with Arizona at +141, while the total is set at 8.5 runs. Los Angeles is -102 laying 1.5 runs, while Arizona is -118 getting 1.5. For more MLB predictions throughout the season, check out our free MLB picks.

Starting Pitchers

Los Angeles is scheduled to start Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who enters at 11-7 with a 2.76 ERA and outstanding 0.88 WHIP through 133.2 innings. Yamamoto has allowed only 89 hits and 15 home runs while recording 121 strikeouts against 29 walks. His ability to keep runners off base has been one of his biggest strengths, and allowing substantially fewer hits than innings pitched gives the Dodgers a major advantage on the mound.

Arizona will counter with Brandon Pfaadt, who is 6-1 with a 3.66 ERA and 1.26 WHIP through 78.2 innings. Pfaadt has allowed 77 hits and eight home runs while recording 52 strikeouts against 22 walks. His numbers have been solid, but Yamamoto owns significant advantages in ERA and WHIP while providing considerably more innings. Pfaadt will also face a Los Angeles lineup that holds the statistical advantage in nearly every major offensive category.

Dodgers Look to Break Out of Six-Game Slide

Los Angeles enters the weekend at 69-46 overall and 36-23 on the road, but the Dodgers have suddenly hit their most difficult stretch of the season. Los Angeles has lost five consecutive completed games entering Friday and carries a six-game overall losing streak. The Dodgers were swept in Chicago, losing 10-5, 5-1 and 7-6 after dropping their previous two completed games against Boston by scores of 8-4 and 3-2. Los Angeles has been competitive in several of those losses but hasn't been able to finish games.

The Dodgers are batting .262 with a .339 on-base percentage and .432 slugging percentage this season. Los Angeles has scored 584 runs on 1,017 hits while hitting 149 home runs. The pitching staff owns a 3.74 ERA and 1.16 WHIP with 1,025 strikeouts and 350 walks. Opposing hitters are batting just .219 against Dodgers pitching.

The recent losing streak is concerning, but the full-season numbers remain extremely strong. Los Angeles owns advantages over Arizona in batting average, runs, hits, home runs, on-base percentage and slugging percentage. The Dodgers also have the superior pitching numbers, including a team ERA nearly half a run lower. With Yamamoto starting, Los Angeles has an excellent opportunity to get back to the formula that produced its 69-46 record.

Diamondbacks Try to Capitalize on Dodgers' Slump

Arizona enters the weekend at 61-55 overall and has played well at Chase Field, where the Diamondbacks are 33-24. Arizona is 2-3 over its last five completed games after losing 5-1 against San Diego on Thursday. The Diamondbacks beat the Padres 10-4 and 5-1 during that stretch but also suffered a 9-4 loss to San Diego and were shut out 5-0 at Cleveland.

The Diamondbacks are batting .243 with a .314 on-base percentage and .393 slugging percentage. Arizona has scored 528 runs on 945 hits while hitting 111 home runs. Its pitching staff owns a 4.21 ERA and 1.30 WHIP with 785 strikeouts and 338 walks. Opposing hitters are batting .254 against Arizona pitching.

Arizona's home record and Pfaadt's 6-1 mark make the Diamondbacks dangerous, particularly against a Dodgers team that has struggled recently. However, the season-long statistical comparison still favors Los Angeles. Arizona has scored 56 fewer runs and hit 38 fewer home runs, while its pitching staff has a higher ERA and WHIP. The Diamondbacks need Pfaadt to keep the game close early and give their offense a chance against Yamamoto.

Los Angeles Dodgers vs Arizona Diamondbacks Picks and Prediction

• Pick: Los Angeles Dodgers -1.5 (-102)

I'm taking the Dodgers -1.5 at -102 rather than paying -171 on the moneyline. Los Angeles is going through a difficult stretch, but the combination of Yamamoto and the Dodgers' substantial season-long statistical advantages makes this a good opportunity to back them at a much better price.

Yamamoto enters with a 2.76 ERA and exceptional 0.88 WHIP, while Pfaadt has a 3.66 ERA and 1.26 WHIP. Los Angeles also leads Arizona in every major offensive category provided by ESPN and owns the better team ERA and WHIP. The Dodgers need to snap out of their recent slide, but I'm willing to back their stronger overall profile and take Los Angeles -1.5 at close to even money.

• Pick: Under 8.5 (-102)

I'm taking the Under 8.5 at -102. Yamamoto is the biggest reason for the play. He has allowed only 89 hits through 133.2 innings while carrying a 2.76 ERA and 0.88 WHIP. Arizona has also been held to one run or fewer in three of its last five completed games.

Pfaadt gives Arizona a reasonable chance of preventing Los Angeles from turning this into a high-scoring game. He owns a 3.66 ERA and has allowed only eight home runs through 78.2 innings. The Dodgers have scored just 18 runs over their last five completed games, so despite their strong season-long offensive numbers, their recent production hasn't been nearly as impressive. With two capable starters on the mound, I'll take the Under 8.5.

This preview was written prior to game play on Friday.