Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles Dodgers: Odds, Analysis, MLB Betting Pick

The Los Angeles Dodgers (57-29) will look to complete a three-game sweep of the Arizona Diamondbacks (52-33) as solid home favorites for the series finale Thursday. The Dodgers have used superior pitching and clutch hitting to win the first two games, outscoring the Diamondbacks by a 5-3 margin.

Betting line: The Dodgers opened as minus-155 favorites (wager $155 to win $100); the total is at 7.5 runs, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. Line updates and matchup report.

MLB betting pick, via OddsShark computer: 5.6-1.6 Dodgers. MLB picks on every game.

Why the Diamondbacks Can Pay on the MLB Lines

Arizona simply needs to find a way to put more runs up on the scoreboard in order to avoid the sweep here. The Diamondbacks fell 4.5 games back of Los Angeles following Wednesday's 1-0 loss, totaling just four hits as opposing pitcher Alex Wood improved to 4-0.

On a positive note, the Dodgers also had only four hits, although a second-inning double proved to be the difference in scoring the game's lone run for the home team. More good news is Arizona's Robbie Ray (8-4, 3.06 ERA) will toe the rubber, and his team has won in seven of the past eight games he has started.

Why the Dodgers Can Pay on the MLB Lines

Los Angeles is playing as good as any team in baseball and has to be considered one of the World Series favorites. The Dodgers have lost three times since June 15, winning 16 games during that stretch.

Rich Hill (5-4, 4.00) gets the call for this series finale, and he is coming off his most dominant outing of the year. Hill pitched seven scoreless innings during an 8-0 road win over the San Diego Padres on Saturday, walking one and striking out a season-high 11 batters. He also owns a 4-2 mark in seven starts under the lights, with 46 strikeouts in 38 innings of work.

Smart Betting Pick

The easy play is to take the Dodgers, but Ray has been outstanding away from home this year for the Diamondbacks. Arizona is 6-1 in Ray's seven road starts, with him going 4-1 with a stellar 1.32 ERA. Opposing batters are also hitting .165 against him when playing at home this season. For those reasons, the Diamondbacks are worth a shot as road underdogs behind Ray.

All MLB lines and betting trends courtesy of Bleacher Report's official odds partner, OddsShark. All quotes gathered firsthand unless otherwise noted. Check out Twitter for injury and line-movement updates and the OddsShark YouTube page for picks and analysis, or download the free odds tracker app.