Los Angeles Dodgers vs. Arizona Diamondbacks: MLB Betting Preview
Date: Thursday, May 8th, 2025 | 9:40 PM ET
Location: Chase Field, Phoenix, AZ
TV Coverage: ARID
Money Line: Dodgers -161 | Diamondbacks +137
Total Line: 8.5
Betting Preview
Here’s our comprehensive betting preview for the upcoming NL West showdown between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday, May 8th at Chase Field. We provide you with detailed analysis, current odds, and expert predictions to help with your handicapping decision based on the projected lineups and confirmed starting pitchers.
Betting Odds
| ML | RL | Total | |
|---|---|---|---|
| LAD | -161 | -1.5 | O 8.5 (-107) |
| ARI | +137 | +1.5 | U 8.5 (-113) |
Thursday’s division matchup has a first pitch set for 9:40 PM ET from Chase Field in Phoenix. The Dodgers (25-12) will send Yoshinobu Yamamoto to the mound, while the Diamondbacks (19-18) counter with Brandon Pfaadt. Los Angeles currently leads the NL West, while Arizona sits in 4th place in the division.
The Dodgers are substantial favorites on the money line at -161, with the Diamondbacks listed at +137. The over/under total is set at 8.5 runs, with the over priced at -107 and the under at -113.
Team Standings & Current Form
Los Angeles Dodgers (25-12)
- Division Standing: Tied for 1st in NL West with Giants
- Divisional Record: 3-0
- Home/Road Split: 15-3 home, 10-9 road
- Current Streak: Won 2 straight
- Last 10 Games: 8-2
- Recent Series: Won 2 of 3 vs. Marlins
Arizona Diamondbacks (19-18)
- Division Standing: 4th in NL West, 6 games behind leaders
- Divisional Record: 0-0 (have not played NL West teams yet)
- Home/Road Split: 9-10 home, 10-8 road
- Current Streak: Lost last game
- Series Record: 5-6-1, lost two straight series
- Recent Series: Lost 2 of 3 vs. Mets
Recent Game Recaps
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers’ offense exploded in their most recent game against the Marlins, securing a dominant 10-1 victory. After a modest first inning, Los Angeles broke the game open with six runs in the third, adding three more in the seventh to complete the rout.
Starting pitcher Landon Knack delivered a stellar performance, tossing five scoreless innings while issuing just one walk and striking out five Marlins batters. James Outman provided offensive firepower, going 1-for-2 with a home run and three RBIs.
Arizona Diamondbacks
Arizona dropped their series finale against the Mets with a 7-1 defeat despite entering as slight -105 favorites. The Diamondbacks started promisingly with a run in the first inning but quickly surrendered the lead when the Mets responded with three runs in the top of the third.
Merrill Kelly took the loss after pitching 6 1/3 innings and allowing three earned runs on six hits with just one strikeout. Corbin Carroll provided the lone offensive highlight with a 2-for-2 performance including a home run. Alek Thomas also contributed, going 2-for-4 with a run scored.
Projected Lineups
Los Angeles Dodgers
| Player | Batting Order | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Shohei Ohtani | 1 | DH |
| Mookie Betts | 2 | SS |
| Freddie Freeman | 3 | 1B |
| Will Smith | 4 | C |
| Andy Pages | 5 | RF |
| Max Muncy | 6 | 3B |
| Miguel Rojas | 7 | 2B |
| Michael Conforto | 8 | LF |
| Chris Taylor | 9 | CF |
| Yoshinobu Yamamoto | – | SP |
Arizona Diamondbacks
| Player | Batting Order | Position |
|---|---|---|
| Corbin Carroll | 1 | RF |
| Ketel Marte | 2 | 2B |
| Pavin Smith | 3 | DH |
| Josh Naylor | 4 | 1B |
| Eugenio Suárez | 5 | 3B |
| Gabriel Moreno | 6 | C |
| Lourdes Gurriel Jr. | 7 | LF |
| Alek Thomas | 8 | CF |
| Geraldo Perdomo | 9 | SS |
| Brandon Pfaadt | – | SP |
Team Records
Los Angeles Dodgers: 25-12 SU / OU 21-16 / Runline 25-12
Arizona Diamondbacks: 19-18 SU / OU 17-17 / Runline 19-18
Pitching Matchup Analysis
Yoshinobu Yamamoto (LAD)
- Season Record: 4-2
- ERA: 0.90
- WHIP: 0.93
- Innings Pitched: 40
- Quality Starts: 4
- Strikeouts Per 9: 11.02
- Recent Form: Win vs. Braves (6 IP, 0 ER on May 2)
- Previous Start: Loss vs. Pirates (5 IP, 3 R, 1 ER on Apr 25)
- Note: Has allowed just 1 earned run in his last three starts combined (18 innings)
Brandon Pfaadt (ARI)
- Season Record: 5-2
- ERA: 3.79
- WHIP: 1.24
- Quality Starts: 4
- Home/Road Split: 2.25 ERA at home, 6.39 ERA on road
- Recent Form: Loss (4.2 IP, 6 ER)
- Note: Had won three straight starts before his most recent outing
Offensive Comparison
Los Angeles Dodgers
- Team Rankings: 1st in home runs, 2nd in batting average
Key Performers:
- Freddie Freeman: Red hot with a .500 average (19-for-38) over last 10 games, 4 HR, 17 RBIs
- Shohei Ohtani: .361 (13-for-36) with 4 HR recently, .299 BA overall with 10 HR (3rd in MLB)
- Teoscar Hernández: .315 BA, 9 HR, leading MLB with 34 RBIs
Arizona Diamondbacks
- Runs Per Game: 5.0 (among MLB leaders)
- Road Runs Per Game: 5.3
- Team Notes: Among league leaders in home runs, 2nd in MLB in walks
Key Performers:
- Corbin Carroll: .257 BA with 2 HR over last 9 games, .297 BA overall with team-leading 11 HR
- Geraldo Perdomo: 30 RBIs (4th in MLB), 12-for-31 over last 9 games
Analysis and Prediction
This NL West matchup features two potent offenses and an intriguing pitching duel between Yamamoto’s dominance (0.90 ERA) and Pfaadt’s home success (2.25 ERA at Chase Field). While the Dodgers are legitimate favorites given their recent form and division-leading status, the total line of 8.5 runs presents an interesting betting opportunity.
Yamamoto has been exceptional, particularly in his most recent outing where he threw 6 scoreless innings against Atlanta. While he did allow 3 runs (only 1 earned) in his previous start against Pittsburgh, his overall body of work is impressive – just 4 earned runs allowed all season. His stellar 0.90 ERA leads MLB, and he’s surrendered only 1 earned run over his last 18 innings pitched.
Meanwhile, Pfaadt has been excellent at home (2.25 ERA) but is coming off a rough outing where he allowed 6 earned runs. This inconsistency, combined with facing the Dodgers’ powerful lineup, could lead to some scoring opportunities for Los Angeles.
The Dodgers enter with several red-hot hitters, particularly Freeman (.500 over his last 10 games) and Ohtani (.361 with 4 HR recently). Arizona counters with their own offensive weapons, including Carroll and Perdomo, and they’ve consistently scored runs this season (5.0 per game).
Betting Pick: OVER 8.5 runs (-107)
Despite Yamamoto’s excellence, there are several factors pointing toward the over: Pfaadt’s recent struggles, two high-powered offenses, the hitter-friendly confines of Chase Field, and the Diamondbacks’ significantly better offensive production at home. The value on the over at -107 makes this the recommended play for Thursday’s matchup.
