Arizona Diamondbacks Set to Host Division-Rival Dodgers

Aug 25, 2015; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks manager Chip Hale (3) relieves starting pitcher Robbie Ray (38) during the fourth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Joe Camporeale-USA TODAY Sports

The Arizona Diamondbacks haven’t had the best start to the last full month of the 2015 regular season. They’ve dropped six of their last 10 games and are now getting ready to host the red-hot Dodgers.

The Dodgers on the other hand, have bursted through those September gates red-hot. They have won 8 of their last 10 and increased their NL West lead to 8.5 games.

These two have faced off four times this season, and the D-backs have only come out with one series win that came in early April here in Arizona.

Since that series, the D-backs have gone 1-8 against the Dodgers this season. With their elimination number being 10 games, the D-backs hope to remain “alive” a little longer and tack on a second series win this season.

The Diamondbacks will have to find a way to cool off Dodgers’ Corey Seager, Andre Ethier, and latest addition, Chase Utley.

Seager, ranked number two in MLB’s prospect watch made his debut on September 3rd and since then, in 6 games, has put up an average of .360 with 4 RBIs, 3 BBs, 9 H, and 1 SB through 25 at-bats.

Sep 7, 2015; Anaheim, CA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers shortstop Corey Seager (5) doubles in the second inning of the game against the Los Angeles Angels at Angel Stadium of Anaheim. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports

Arizona native and former ASU Sundevil Andre Ethier has been heating up and has put up a batting average of .286 through his last 7 games, and always seems to give the D-backs a hard time. Specifically, Ethier has 20 career HR against the Dbacks along with 89 RBIs and a batting average of .327. Utley, a late addition to the Dodgers, has been batting .333 through his last 7 and has produced 4 RBIs and 10 hits.

The key factor for the D-backs will be none other than the one and only Paul Goldschmidt. Not only is he one of the best in the league, but he specializes in giving the Dodgers a rough time. Goldschmidt is hitting .336 against the Dodgers with 17 HR and 15 RBIs and an OBP of .397.

May 3, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (44) hits a single in the fourth inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Here’s a look at pitching match-ups for this weekend’s three-game series.