2. Pitching Rotation
One of the biggest advantages the Dodgers have is since they won the division, they can line up their rotation however they please. The Diamondbacks had to spend their best starter in Zach Greinke in the Wild Card game(not that it went too well for Greinke).
While Robbie Ray had an incredible year for Arizona, the Dodgers’ Alex Wood had a slightly better year from an ERA and WHIP perspective. He’s been an excellent #2 starter all season.
The gap between starting pitchers will be even more noticeable in Game 3. The Diamondbacks will likely throw Zach Godley or Patrick Corbin. They could at least consider Greinke on short rest since he didn’t pitch very deep into the WIld Card game. The Dodgers have the luxury of putting former All-Star Yu Darvish on the mound after a mid-season trade. Darvish has been up and down in Los Angeles so far. With his track record of success in the majors, I’d take him any day of the week over Godley. Darvish will also draw the tougher assignment of pitching in Chase Field instead of Dodger Stadium. It could potentially be an elimination game if the first two starters hold up in Los Angeles.