Diamondbacks Series Preview: Taking On the Dodgers

By Matthew Rzodkiewicz

Apr 12, 2016

Sep 21, 2015; Los Angeles, CA, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks shortstop Nick Ahmed (13) throws to first as Los Angeles Dodgers second baseman Chase Utley (26) is out on a double play in the fifth inning of the game at Dodger Stadium. Diamondbacks won 8-4. Mandatory Credit: Jayne Kamin-Oncea-USA TODAY Sports /

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Players to Watch:

Paul Goldschmidt is a necessity for Arizona. His average started to pick up in the Chicago series after a little bit of a slow start against Colorado. The newly-acquired Jean Segura has been a formidable force in the Diamondbacks’ lineup early on, but it is doubtful his rate of production is sustainable– meaning Goldschmidt has to step his game up. Corbin and De la Rosa will be keys to success in both this series and early on in the season, as the front end of the rotation continues to struggle. How Zack Greinke and Shelby Miller perform will have a direct impact on the level of pressure is put on Corbin and De la Rosa to win.

For Los Angeles, it will be interesting to see how both Maeda and Stripling perform in their second starts. Both were nearly spotless in their debuts. Yasiel Puig, who has gotten off to a hot start following an injury-plagued 2015 campaign, will also play a big role in the series. If Arizona’s pitching staff can manage to shut down Puig, they’ll have a much easier time attempting to win the series.