The Arizona Diamondbacks head to Los Angeles for a Sunday afternoon NL West showdown, squaring off against the Dodgers at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium on July 12 at 4:10 PM ET. Arizona will send left-hander Mitch Bratt to the mound against Dodgers right-hander Emmet Sheehan. Anytime the D-backs make the trip up the I-10 to face Los Angeles, the stakes are real — this is a division rivalry that shapes playoff positioning, and Sunday's game is no exception.
Pitching Matchup: Mitch Bratt vs. Emmet Sheehan
Mitch Bratt gets the ball for Arizona. The young left-hander has been working to establish himself in the D-backs rotation, and a road start against a lineup as dangerous as the Dodgers' is the kind of test that reveals what a pitcher is made of. How Bratt manages his pitch sequencing and controls the running game on the bases will go a long way toward determining whether Arizona can steal a win in enemy territory.
On the other side, Emmet Sheehan takes the hill for Los Angeles. Sheehan has shown the ability to miss bats at the major league level, and the Dodgers will lean on him to keep Arizona's offense quiet through the middle innings. The D-backs will need to work counts and find traffic on the bases early if they want to get to the Dodgers bullpen.
Keys to Watch for the Diamondbacks
- Bratt's command early: Getting ahead in counts against a disciplined Dodgers lineup is critical. If Bratt falls behind hitters and starts nibbling, LA will make him pay.
- Arizona's approach at the plate: The D-backs need to resist chasing Sheehan's secondary stuff out of the zone. Patient at-bats and working deep counts can expose a starter and open the door to a favorable bullpen matchup.
- Baserunning and small ball: Dodger Stadium rewards aggressive, fundamentally sound baseball. Arizona can't afford to give away outs on the bases or leave runners stranded in scoring position.
- Bullpen management: Both managers will face decisions in the middle innings. Arizona's relief corps will need to hold any lead Bratt builds — or keep the game close if he runs into trouble.
The Rivalry Context
NL West games against the Dodgers carry extra weight no matter the calendar date. Los Angeles is perennially one of the best-resourced organizations in baseball, and Arizona's path to October runs through them. The D-backs don't need to sweep a series to make a statement, but winning Sunday would send a message about where this club stands in the division pecking order this summer.
Prediction
This one figures to be a tight, low-scoring affair built around pitching and defense. Bratt will face his biggest test yet, and the outcome likely hinges on whether he can get through the Dodgers order a second and third time. Give the slight edge to Los Angeles at home, but don't sleep on Arizona pulling the upset if Bratt is sharp and the offense gets to Sheehan early. D-backs fans can catch the game on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM or stream it on DBACKS.TV.
