Dodgers vs Diamondbacks: Lineups, Pregame Matchups, and More for September 20 (Game One)

The Dodgers just keep on winning, even as the games mean less and less. On Monday night, they opened their five-game series against Arizona with a 5-2 win, riding another dominant pitching performance by Clayton Kershaw and another offensive thrashing of DBacks starter Merrill Kelly to victory.

Today, the Dodgers and DBacks will play two games, the first one at 12:10 pm PT. In game one, L.A. will throw two rookies at Arizona, with Michael Grove getting the start and Ryan Pepiot piggybacking. Both will likely be back in Triple-A by the end of the day, so manager Dave Roberts is likely to ride them as long as he can in this game.

Grove faced Arizona last week, allowing two runs in five innings in a no-decision. He allowed just two hits, but they were solo homers to lefties Daulton Varsho and Corbin Carroll. No DBacks hitter has faced Grove in any other big-league game.

Pepiot has faced the DBacks twice this year, allowing four runs in 8.1 innings across two starts in May. Christian Walker has homered off him, but his biggest issue against Arizona (and in general) was walking too many hitters.

The DBacks will counter in game one with Zach Davies, who got a no-decision in last week’s hangover game, allowing two runs in 5.1 innings the day after the Dodgers clinched the NL West. It was Davies’ best start against L.A. this year, as he’s 0-2 with a 6.27 ERA in four starts.

Four different Dodgers have multiple homers against Davies in their careers: Justin Turner, Cody Bellinger, Will Smith, and Trayce Thompson. Smith and Bellinger aren’t in the lineup for game one, though.

Mookie Betts and Max Muncy also get a rest in the first game today, with Joey Gallo in right field. Gavin Lux, who had three hits last night, gets the start at DH. Rookie Miguel Vargas, who hasn’t played in nearly a week, gets the start in left field, with Austin Barnes behind the plate.

Today’s #Dodgers Game 1 lineup vs. D-backs: pic.twitter.com/vRF1bU0HOO

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 20, 2022

Today’s first game will mark the 147th game of the season for LA. They are currently 102-44, on pace for 113 wins. First pitch is scheduled for 12:10 pm PT.

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