The Los Angeles Dodgers are trying to break out of their slump after dropping their seventh straight game on Friday.
The Dodgers play the D-Backs on Saturday, August 8th, for the second game of the season series on the road.
Through nine and a half innings, the Dodgers were on their way to breaking their skid, but then Edwin Diaz allowed a walk-off, two-run home run that cost the team the game.
It was a hanging slider that the D-Backs got a hold of, a symptom of Diaz’s command problems. If the Dodgers get in a save spot on Saturday, all eyes will be on Dave Roberts and whether or not he trusts Diaz in that spot.
Aug 7, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani (17) against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Offensively, the Dodgers have struggled over the last few games, and the lineup will need to do better than the three runs scored on Friday to give their pitching staff more wiggle room.
LA is facing a righty in Brandon Pfaadt, which will end up giving Feduccia the nod instead of Rortvedt, allowing Tommy Edman to play at second base rather than Miguel Rojas slotting in.
On paper, the Dodgers have the advantage over Pfaadt, since their best hitter are lefties. However, the offense is not clicking, with Merrill Kelly pitching multiple no-hit innings and only really struggling until his command went away.
Pfaadt had a bad start to the year, but since July, he has looked great.
Kyle Tucker has been hot at the plate, and with the hitting advantage, he will be the player to watch. Hopefully, this is the start of a real turnaround for him.
The Dodgers get their ace on the mound, just in case the offense did not get going again.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto is good for at least six innings, and if he is clicking at all, seven innings is the expectation for the Japanese star.
Aug 1, 2026; Los Angeles, California, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto (18) runs to first base for a force out against the Boston Red Sox during the fourth inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: William Navarro-Imagn Images Credit: IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect (Reuters)
He gets weak contact with ease, while attacking the edges of the strike zone. If his command is off, most of his pitch mix is less effective.
However, Yamamoto is a pitcher who finds ways to get outs, changing his timing and giving hitters different looks to throw them off and make them uncomfortable.
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