Los Angeles Dodgers: Three predictions for NLDS game three

2. Yu Darvish to struggle against LHB

The Los Angeles Dodgers have had the luxury of starting two southpaws the first two games of the NLDS. Arizona as a team bats worse against left-handed pitching, and the combination of Clayton Kershaw and Rich Hill has allowed the Dodgers to shut down big bat Jake Lamb.

However, using southpaws has hurt the Dodgers in other areas. Paul Goldschmidt, J.D. Martinez and A.J. Pollock all hit left-handed pitching far better than their right-handed opposition. While the Dodgers have done a good job of limiting them of too much damage, the trio has succeeded in the NLDS.

The biggest thing going for the Dodgers pitching staff is not allowing runners on base. Arizona has slugged six home runs in this series to the Dodgers’ one. Yet, the Dodgers have done a great job at limiting the left-handed bats in getting on base thus resulting in four of the six home runs being solo shots.

In fact, all of the Diamondbacks’ earned runs have come off of home runs. The Dodgers are doing a great job in limiting any true rally from the big bats of the Dbacks. However, we will see a different kind of offense from Arizona in game three.

Instead of slugging multiple home runs, the left-handed bats of the Diamondbacks will have a much better performance and will piece together several key hits. While Yu Darvish has the matchup advantage against the big bats in the middle of the order, he likely will allow more baserunners than any of the two previous games.

Darvish needs to focus on bending, not breaking. With the hot bats of the Dodgers, they can afford Darvish to allow three or so runs over six innings of work. As long as Darvish stays within himself, the struggles against the left-handed bats won’t put the Dodgers in any serious danger.