Dodgers open series with Diamondbacks, red hot Paul Goldschmidt

LOS ANGELES -- The Dodgers open a three-game series against the not-Cardinals on Monday night, welcoming the Diamondbacks to town, hoping for more Dodger Stadium success against Arizona.

The Dodgers have beaten the D-backs six straight times at home and are 12-3 in their last five series against them, dating back to 2013. In that same span the Dodgers are 26-9 against Arizona overall.

The Diamondbacks arrive in Los Angeles having played pretty well of late, winning 12 of their last 20 games, including 4-1-1 in series during that time. The only series loss was a sweep by the Cardinals in St. Louis, including two walk-off wins, so perhaps the Dodgers and D-backs can commiserate over their redbird nightmares.

Arizona has suffered four walk-off losses this season, including their last game in Los Angeles, a 1-0 Dodgers win in 13 innings punctuated by an insane behind-the-back tag at home plate by J.P. Howell then a walk-off home run by Yasmani Grandal.

Paul Goldschmidt comes to town hitting a robust .343/.468/.657 with 16 home runs, 47 RBI and 47 walks, proving it's not only the Dodgers he torments. Dating back to May 31, Goldschmidt has been walked 14 times in his last 34 plate appearances, including eight times intentionally.

Goldschmidt is 10-for-25 (.400) against the Dodgers this season, with three home runs, two doubles and eight RBI in six games. The Dodgers have yet to walk him this year.

We'll see if that changes during this series, beginning with former D-backs right-hander Mike Bolsinger, making his first start against his old team. Bolsinger has allowed one run in three starts at Dodger Stadium this season.

Old friend Rubby De La Rosa starts for the Diamondbacks, making his 11th career appearance at Dodger Stadium, and his eighth start here. The right-hander has 45 strikeouts in 43⅓ innings at Chavez Ravine, but also has a 5.19 ERA and 26 walks in Los Angeles.

The Dodgers got to De La Rosa for five runs in five innings on May 1 at Dodger Stadium, including home runs by Justin Turner and Joc Pederson, the latter a grand slam.

Game info

Time: 7:10 p.m. PT

TV: SportsNet LA