NLDS 2017: Three reasons Dodgers-Diamondbacks will be insane

Paul Goldschmidt vs Cody Bellinger will provide plenty of fireworks

Looking at the numbers, two of the biggest hitters in this series will be a veteran on Arizona and a rookie of the year candidate on Los Angeles. Paul Goldschmidt helped the Diamondbacks blow open the wild card game thanks to a three run blast in the first inning.

Clayton Kershaw will take the mound for the Dodgers in Game 1 in Los Angeles. Goldschmidt has hit in 10 of 41 at-bats versus Kershaw and has a .240 batting average against him. One of the flaws that Kershaw has in the postseason is being able to hold off an overpowering opponent.

Unfortunately for the Dodgers, Goldschmidt has had some noteworthy success getting RBI versus Kershaw, with eight to show for it. It’s the most RBI Goldschmidt has had off of any Dodgers pitcher.

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One of the things that goes in the favor of the Dodgers but isn’t applicable to Game 1 is the fact that Yu Darvish has struck out Goldschmidt in every encounter that they’ve had. This will be a factor later in the series assuming that the Dodgers can get started on the right foot, but could be a crux if the beginning of the series doesn’t go in their favor.

Goldschmidt is a critical part of Arizona’s lineup because if that kind of spark can happen consistently, it’ll be high scoring throughout and thrilling to watch. The Dodgers have a counter to that firepower in the lineup, and his name is Cody Bellinger.

Bellinger tore through the rest of the regular season after being called up early on.  Like Corey Seager a year ago, he didn’t let the fact that he’s a rookie get to his head and instead has provided an amazing that continues to feel magical.

If Arizona takes the upper hand early, a response from Bellinger’s bat is a must. According to stats provided by Fox Sports, Bellinger is 3-12 against the top pitchers in Arizona’s arsenal, with the starting pitcher for Game 1 not yet announced as of this writing for the Diamondbacks.

Regardless of that, it’s Bellinger’s opportunity to step up to the plate and prove that he can help lead the Dodgers deep into October.