Dodgers, D-backs Clash in NL West Series Amid Player Injuries

PHOENIX, AZ — The Arizona Diamondbacks are set to host the Los Angeles Dodgers for a four-game series at Chase Field, beginning Thursday at 6:40 p.m. local time. This marks the first matchup between the two teams this season and falls at a critical juncture for both clubs amid injury concerns.

The Dodgers, currently holding a 25-12 record, will be without reliever Evan Phillips, who is sidelined with right forearm tightness. Manager Dave Roberts noted that Phillips had recently returned from the injured list and expressed concern about the bullpen, which is already missing key players.

“It’s tough to lose a guy like Evan, especially when we have a thin bullpen,” Roberts said. “We need our starters to go deep into games.”

Yoshinobu Yamamoto, who boasts a league-best 0.90 ERA, is expected to take the mound for Los Angeles on Thursday, while Brandon Pfaadt will pitch for Arizona. Pfaadt, who is 5-2 this season with a 3.79 ERA, is looking to recover after a rough outing that saw him allow six earned runs in his last game.

The D-backs enter the series with a 19-18 record and are striving to find consistency, having lost five of their last six series. “Every game counts, but some games count more,” noted manager Torey Lovullo. “We need to treat this series like it’s our playoff cookies on the table.”

The Dodgers have seen success at the plate, scoring 36 runs in their previous six games. The team is hitting .259 collectively, ranking second in Major League Baseball. However, the Diamondbacks’ offense is also capable, having averaged nearly five runs per game on the season.

Injuries have affected both teams, with the D-backs missing pitchers Justin Martinez and A.J. Puk, while the Dodgers have several players, including outfielders Teoscar Hernandez and Tommy Edman, on the IL. Both lineups are star-studded, featuring heavy hitters like Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts for the Dodgers, and Corbin Carroll and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. for Arizona.

The series continues through Sunday, with game times scheduled for 6:40 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 5:40 p.m. Saturday, and a 1:10 p.m. matinee on Sunday. Fans can expect a competitive matchup as both teams aim to find footing in the tightly contested NL West.