Fansided

NLDS 2017: Here’s why the Diamondbacks will beat the Dodgers

By Gabe Henderson

PHOENIX, AZ - SEPTEMBER 26: J.D. Martinez
PHOENIX, AZ - SEPTEMBER 26: J.D. Martinez /
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LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 06: Ketel Marte #4 of the Arizona Diamondbacks beats the throw to Yasmani Grandal #9 of the Los Angeles Dodgers to score a run on a double by Adam Rosales #9 of the Arizona Diamondbacks in the seventh inning of the game at Dodger Stadium on September 6, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – SEPTEMBER 06: Ketel Marte #4 of the Arizona Diamondbacks beats the throw to Yasmani Grandal #9 of the Los Angeles Dodgers to score a run on a double by Adam Rosales #9 of the Arizona Diamondbacks in the seventh inning of the game at Dodger Stadium on September 6, 2017 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images) /

4. Head-to-head

The Dodgers and the Diamondbacks have met 19 times throughout the 2017 season thus far. Even though they’re set to face off at least three more times, there is no way that the Dodgers can finish with a winning record against Arizona this season. Let that sink in.

The best head-to-head winning percentage that the Dodgers can finish with against Arizona is .500. As it stands, the D-Backs lead the season series 11-8. That may come as a surprise to some, seeing as Los Angeles finished 11 games above Arizona in the NL West. All things considered, the Diamondbacks, unlike the rest of the MLB, have had the Dodgers’ number this season. Especially as of late. Arizona has won the last six matchups with Los Angeles as they swept the last two series of the season against their NL West opponents. In those six games, Arizona managed to outscore the Dodgers by an astonishing 27 runs. Not to mention, the largest margin of victory in that span was 13-0 and furthermore, that game was in LA.

The season series between the two clubs has been extremely streaky. The only standalone win came on Aug. 8 when Arizona defeated Los Angeles 6-3, preventing the Dodgers from winning a sixth-straight against Arizona. Consequently, the Dodgers went on to win the next two games before ending the season 0-6 against the D-Backs. In addition, the Diamondbacks have had absolutely no problem slugging the ball against Dodgers pitchers. They were only shut-out once and managed more than eight or more runs in four of the 19 games, which doesn’t seem like much until you realize that they played the Dodgers.

The Diamondbacks have been the thorn in the Dodgers’ side this season; their kryptonite, if you will. With the Dodgers traditionally known to choke come October, the Diamondbacks shouldn’t be counted out in this series. Especially when you take a look at head-to-head.

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