The set-up: The "unbeatable" LA Dodgers suddenly look very 'human,' as Labor Day dawns. The team opens a three-game home series with the Arizona Diamondbacks having lost eight of its last nine games (lone win came 1-0, in Clayton Kershaw's Sep. 1 return from the DL). The Dodgers opened last week by getting swept in Arizona by these same D'backs, who have now solidified their position atop the National League wild-card standings by winning 10 in a row (73-58 D'backs have opened a 6 1/2-game lead on the Rockies). After scoring 21 runs in a three-game sweep last week, Arizona has evened its season series with LA at 8-8, while outscoring the Dodgers 78-66.

The pitching matchup: Robbie Ray (11-5 & 2.97 ERA) will start for Arizona and Rich Hill (9-6 & 3.71 ERA) for LA. Ray won his second straight start on Wednesday against the Dodgers, allowing one run while registering 10 strikeouts over 6 2/3 innings. He is having a career year with stellar numbers across the board, including a 6-1 record and 1.49 ERA in 11 road outings (D'backs are 8-3. Ray is 2-0 with a 3.00 ERA in four starts versus Los Angeles this season (Arizona is 3-1) and owns a 2.19 ERA in six career outings at Dodger Stadium. Hill allowed six runs on a season-high eight hits over 3 2/3 innings in Tuesday's 7-6 loss to Arizona. It was his first start since flirting with a perfect game/no-hitter on Aug. 23, Hill was 4-0 with a 1.45 ERA in five starts in July (LA was 5-0) but had mixed results in August, going 1-2 with a 4.71 ERA in five starts (LA was 2-3). Hill has posted a 1-5 record and 5.28 ERA in nine career starts against Arizona (teams are 2-7).

The pick: I must admit I'm somewhat leery of Hill but this LA team is just too good to continue struggling. After all, while Arizona checks in at 34-35 on the road in 2017, LA is 52-16 at Dodger Stadium, outscoring opponents 5.13-to-3.09 RPG. Make LA a 10* play.