Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks Game 2 Preview

The Dodgers are looking to bounce back Monday night against the Diamondbacks after losing Game 1 in blowout fashion.

D-backs Dominate Game 1

The Dodgers got off to a rough start against the divisional rival Diamondbacks Saturday.

Longtime ace Clayton Kershaw didn’t make it out of the first inning, as the D-backs put up five runs before an out was recorded. Kershaw ended the day with six earned runs on six hits, including a three-run blast by Gabriel Moreno.

The Boys in Blue could not respond on offense, recording just four hits and two runs, both of which came while down 11-0 in the eighth.

Previewing Game 2

https://twitter.com/MLBNetwork/status/1711412228077817958

Bobby Miller will get the start for the Dodgers, making his first ever postseason appearance. Miller has faced Arizona twice this year, pitching six shutout innings in his first start, while giving up four earned runs on his way to a win in the second. After Kershaw recorded just one out in the opener, the Dodgers will need an impressive performance from Miller to stifle the hot D-backs offense.

Zac Gallen toes the rubber on the other side. The Dodgers have seen him twice this season, with great success so far. In just 10 innings, the Dodgers have put up 11 runs on 15 hits against Gallen, winning both contests. After a solid performance in his first ever postseason start against the Brewers, Gallen will look to find success against a star-studded Dodgers lineup for the first time this season.

Players to Watch

The top two hitters in the Dodgers lineup did not record a hit in game one.

All stars Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman were a combined 0-for-5 at the plate on Saturday. They will hope to change that in game two.

Freeman has seen Gallen well this year, recording two hits, including a homerun, against the D-backs starter.

Betts has struggled against Gallen this year, yet to record a hit in six plate appearances. If the Dodgers want to bounce back, they will their top two to step up.

Diamondbacks outfielder Corbin Carroll has been on fire this postseason.

Corbin Carroll through 3 #Postseason games:

.500 AVG
2 HR
5 R
3 multi-hit games@Dbacks | #MLBTonight | #EmbraceTheChaos pic.twitter.com/tM0nbHzHnN

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) October 9, 2023

Carroll opened the scoring in game one with a RBI single, and tacked on a solo homerun in the second inning as part of the offensive onslaught.

However, he has struggled against Miller this year, going hitless in six plate appearances. Carroll has been a driving force in the Snakes offense all season, and will look to stay hot tonight against a pitcher he has not seen well.

The Diamondbacks are 3-0 so far this postseason, and will look to take a commanding 2-0 series lead in LA.

The Dodgers will look to respond, needing a win to avoid an elimination game on Wednesday.