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The red-hot Diamondbacks are rightfully confident, coming to Los Angeles on a 10-game winning streak, including having their way with the Dodgers for three games last week in Arizona.
So far in 2017, there have only been six double-digit winning streaks in the majors, and the Dodgers have two of them — a 10-game run from June 16-25, followed by an 11-game streak from July 4-19.
Arizona’s 10-game streak isn’t even the longest current streak in baseball. The Indians have won 11 straight, with the reigning American League pennant winners running away with the AL Central.
The Diamondbacks took control of all three games against the Dodgers last week in Phoenix by scoring in their first at-bat. Arizona scored 10 runs in the first inning in that series, and hasn’t even trailed in a game since Aug. 25.
The @Dbacks are the 2nd team since 2005 to go eight straight games without trailing, joining the Indians, who did it in July (@EliasSports)
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) September 4, 2017
Rich Hill has allowed 16 runs in the first inning in 20 starts this season, including spotting the Diamondbacks a 5-0 lead in the opening frame last Tuesday at Chase Field. Those 16 runs are double what Hill has allowed in his second-worst inning (the third).
Robbie Ray gets the call in the opener for Arizona, his fifth start against the Dodgers in 2017. The left-hander has a 1.49 ERA in 11 road starts this season, ranking third among major league pitchers with at least five away starts (Clayton Kershaw is first, at 1.45). On the road, Ray has 88 strikeouts in just 66⅓ innings.
The first and third innings are also the worst for Ray, allowing 11 runs in both innings in 22 starts this season.
Game info
Time: 5:10 p.m. PT
TV: SportsNet LA, MLB Network