The Arizona Diamondbacks host the Los Angeles Dodgers at Chase Field on Sunday, August 9, with first pitch scheduled for 4:10 PM ET. Eduardo Rodriguez gets the ball for Arizona against Dodgers left-hander Justin Wrobleski in what shapes up as a compelling mid-August divisional matchup. With the Dodgers bringing one of the most loaded lineups in baseball — Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Mookie Betts, and newly added Kyle Tucker among them — the D-backs will need a sharp outing from Rodriguez and timely production from their own lineup to come out on top at home.

Probable Starters: Eduardo Rodriguez vs. Justin Wrobleski

Rodriguez is the veteran anchor of this Arizona rotation. The left-hander has the experience and repertoire to handle a lineup of Los Angeles's caliber, and this is exactly the kind of start that defines what kind of rotation the D-backs can put together as the season heads toward its final stretch. He'll need to locate his pitches and limit damage against a Dodgers order that doesn't offer many soft spots.

Wrobleski, on the other side, is a young left-hander still carving out his place in a loaded Los Angeles system. For Arizona's hitters, getting into Wrobleski early — working counts and forcing him into the stretch — could be the key to unlocking a big inning or two. The D-backs' lineup has the talent to make a young starter uncomfortable.

Arizona Diamondbacks Starting Lineup

• 1. Geraldo Perdomo, SS
• 2. Corbin Carroll, RF
• 3. Gabriel Moreno, C
• 4. Ketel Marte, DH
• 5. Nolan Arenado, 3B
• 6. Ildemaro Vargas, 2B
• 7. Tim Tawa, CF
• 8. Tyler Locklear, 1B
• 9. Ryan Waldschmidt, LF

Los Angeles Dodgers Starting Lineup

• 1. Shohei Ohtani, DH
• 2. Andy Pages, CF
• 3. Freddie Freeman, 1B
• 4. Tommy Edman, 2B
• 5. Mookie Betts, SS
• 6. Kyle Tucker, RF
• 7. Teoscar Hernández, LF
• 8. Enrique Hernández, 3B
• 9. Ben Rortvedt, C

Keys to Watch for Arizona

• Rodriguez's efficiency: The Dodgers have the firepower to run up a pitch count in a hurry. If Rodriguez can work deep into the game and keep Los Angeles off the bases early, Arizona's bullpen gets a needed rest and the D-backs stay in control.
• Corbin Carroll's at-bats: Hitting second and slotted right behind leadoff man Perdomo, Carroll's ability to put runners in scoring position — or come around to score himself — could set the tone for Arizona's offensive half-innings against a left-hander.
• The bottom third of the order: Tawa, Locklear, and Waldschmidt are going to face real tests against Dodgers pitching. If even one of them provides a spark — a walk, an extra-base hit, or a clutch two-out knock — the D-backs' lineup becomes that much harder to navigate.
• Nolan Arenado in the middle: Arenado bats fifth and gives Arizona a serious threat in the middle of the order. His presence behind Marte should keep the Dodgers from pitching around the D-backs' best hitters freely.

Prediction

This is a tough draw. The Dodgers' lineup — Ohtani through Tucker — is as formidable as it gets in the National League, and Wrobleski doesn't need to be dominant to get through an Arizona order that has some question marks in the back half. But Chase Field gives the D-backs a home edge, and Rodriguez is a pitcher who rises to divisional matchups. Expect a close, competitive game. If Arizona can grab an early lead and keep Ohtani and Freeman off the bases, they have the lineup and the starting pitcher to steal this one. Lean D-backs, 4–3, in a game that goes down to the late innings.