Dodgers vs Diamondbacks NL West Rivalry: Watch Now as Merrill Kelly Battles Historic Career Jinx at Chase Field
PHOENIX, AZ: Sports news on Dodgers vs Diamondbacks, let’s check out who wins this match and what the score. Read also ABOUT how to watch and other important fans’ helpful news updates.. The top two teams in the National League West meet in Phoenix as the Los Angeles Dodgers travel to Chase Field to take on the Arizona Diamondbacks. The high-stakes Friday night clash presents a classic baseball paradox: an unstoppable historical matchup meeting an unexpected regular-season slump.
The Dodgers arrive in Phoenix carrying a six-game losing streak—their longest and most frustrating slump of the season. Yet, as they attempt to regain their footing in the division, they face an Arizona starter who has historically suffered more against Los Angeles than perhaps any other pitcher in modern Major League Baseball: veteran right-hander Merrill Kelly.
How to Watch the Dodgers vs Diamondbacks Game
Matchup: Los Angeles Dodgers (69-46) at Arizona Diamondbacks (61-55) Date & Time: Friday, August 7, 2026 • 6:40 PM MST (9:40 PM EST) Venue: Chase Field — Phoenix, Arizona Television: SportsNet LA, DBacks.TV, MLB.TV Live Radio: AM 570 LA Sports, Arizona Sports 98.7 FM
Probable Starting Pitchers
| Pitcher Stat / Info | Roki Sasaki (LAD) | Merrill Kelly (ARI) |
| Age / Throws | 24 / Right | 37 / Right |
| 2026 Record | 5-5 | 8-9 |
| 2026 ERA | 4.64 | 5.04 |
| Innings Pitched | 99.0 IP | 114.1 IP |
| Strikeouts / Walks | 101 K / 39 BB | 76 K / 46 BB |
| WHIP | 1.30 | 1.49 |
| Career Record vs. Opponent | 0-0 (Limited) | 0-11 (17 Starts) |
Merrill Kelly vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
For a brief period last season, Merrill Kelly defended a team other than the Diamondbacks for the first time in his big-league career. To anyone who follows the NL West closely, seeing the veteran right-hander in a different uniform felt unusual. Now back where he broke through as a 30-year-old rookie in 2019, Kelly finds himself navigating the most challenging season of his career.
By almost every metric, 2026 has been Kelly’s toughest campaign. Carrying an ERA above 5.00 and a 1.49 WHIP, the Arizona starter has struggled with command and underlying metrics that rank near the bottom of the league. Facing the Dodgers at this juncture is less than ideal.
“Even in extremely lopsided battles, baseball has a way of rewarding the weaker side occasionally. But for Kelly against the Dodgers, there has been none of that, even when he has been at his absolute best.”
Since making his MLB debut in 2019, Kelly has accumulated a sizeable sample size against his division rivals:
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17 Career Starts against Los Angeles.
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89.0 Total Innings Pitched opposite Dodger hitters.
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0-11 Career Record across 11 decisions.
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0 Wins despite multiple quality outings.
The height of this statistical anomaly occurred during the 2022 season. That year, Kelly put together a stellar 200-inning campaign, finishing with just eight total losses across 33 starts. Remarkably, five of those eight losses came directly at the hands of Los Angeles.
The last time Kelly faced the Dodgers in late 2024, the Diamondbacks dropped an 8-6 slugfest. While Kelly did not take the official decision, he surrendered six runs (four earned) in a difficult outing.
Key Individual Matchups: Dodger Bats Ready to Feast
Kelly relies heavily on his four-seam fastball (throwing it over 26% of the time). That poses a dangerous scenario against a Los Angeles lineup that ranks among the league leaders in slugging percentage and run creation against right-handed four-seamers. Two specific Dodger stalwarts have tormented Kelly throughout his career
1. Max Muncy’s On-Base Mastery
Third baseman Max Muncy has been a constant thorn in Kelly’s side. While Muncy has only hit one home run off Kelly, his patience and pitch recognition have proven nightmarish for the starter. Muncy has reached base safely in 22 of his 43 plate appearances against Kelly—good for an astonishing on-base rate over .500.
2. Mookie Betts’ Power Surge
Shortstop/outfitter Mookie Betts enters Friday night coming off an impressive four-hit performance. Betts has unlocked Kelly’s pitch arsenal better than anyone in baseball, blasting four home runs in just 35 career at-bats against the Arizona righty.
Roki Sasaki Looks to Anchor Los Angeles Out of Slump
On the other side of the diamond, the Dodgers hand the ball to Japanese sensation Roki Sasaki. While Sasaki’s overall season numbers (5-5, 4.64 ERA) appear modest on the surface, the 24-year-old right-hander has hit his stride over the last month.
Over his past four starts, Sasaki has compiled a 2.25 ERA, featuring dominant command of his 100+ mph four-seam fastball. That pitch could prove crucial on Friday: Arizona’s lineup has struggled significantly against high-velocity right-handed four-seamers over their past two weeks, hitting just .173 against the pitch.
If the Dodger lineup provides even a fraction of their customary run support against Kelly, Sasaki will be positioned to earn his sixth win of the season and break Los Angeles out of its six-game skid.
What’s at Stake in the NL West
Tonight’s contest marks the opening game of a pivotal weekend series at Chase Field:
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Division Lead: The Dodgers (69-46) hold a lead atop the NL West, but Arizona (61-55) is pushing hard to narrow the gap as the postseason race intensifies.
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Momentum Reset: Los Angeles urgently needs a victory to stop their six-game slide and restore offensive rhythm.
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Breaking the Streak: For Merrill Kelly and the Diamondbacks, securing a win against his long-time nemesis would serve as a major psychological boost for the club’s stretch run.
With two high-powered offences, fascinating historical trends, and division title implications on the line, fans can tune in live as the first pitch approaches in Phoenix.
