Arizona Diamondbacks vs Los Angeles Dodgers Matchup Preview - March 31st, 2023

The D-Backs are scheduled to start Merrill Kelly (0-0, 0.00 ERA) against Dodgers starting pitcher Dustin May (0-0, 0.00 ERA) on Friday. This will be the first start of the season for both Kelly and May. In Merrill Kelly's last outing, the D-Backs won 4-2 against the Brewers. He pitched 6 innings allowing 1 earned run with 4 hits. He also recorded 7 strikeouts with 2 walks. The last time Dustin May took the mound, he recorded a loss as the Dodgers got beat by the D-Backs 1-6. He finished with 4 IP, 4 K, 2 BB, while allowing 5 earned runs on 7 hits. Today, Kelly projects for 4.50 innings pitched with 2.7 ER, 4.7 hits, 3.8 strikeouts, and 1.9 walks, according to The Sharp Model. Meanwhile, The Sharp Model projects May's average outcome to be 5.45 IP, 2.0 ER, 4.7 H, 5.3 strikeouts, and 1.8 walks.

Arizona Diamondbacks Insights

• Merrill Kelly's fastball velocity has risen 1 mph this season (92.2 mph) over where it was last season (91.2 mph).

• Projected catcher Gabriel Moreno projects as a weak pitch framer, per The Sharp Model projection system.

Los Angeles Dodgers Insights

• Dustin May is an extreme groundball pitcher (49.7% GB% per The Sharp Model projections), which should make him somewhat immune to the dangers of pitching in Dodger Stadium — the #4 HR venue among all parks — in this matchup.

• The Arizona Diamondbacks have just 1 same-handed RP in their bullpen, so David Peralta stands a good chance of holding the platoon advantage against every reliever all game.

• The 17.3% Barrel% of the Los Angeles Dodgers grades them out as the #6 team in the league since the start of last season by this standard.

Betting Trends

• Trayce Thompson has hit the Runs Under in his last 3 games at home (+3.00 Units / 45% ROI)