The set-up: Los Angeles Dodgers dropped three of four against the Giants thsi past weekend, falling to 12-15. LA produced just three runs on 10 hits over the final 17 innings of the series, a sthe five-time defending NL West champs now sit fourth in a five-team division. seven games back of the first-place Arizona Diamondbacks. Yasiel Puig's landed on the 10-day disabled list before Sunday's 4-2 loss to San Francisco due to a left hip pointer and bruised left foot but Matt Kemp (left quadriceps) and Enrique Hernandez (flu symptoms) returned to the starting lineup. Puig's injury has created an opportunity for top prospect Alex Verdugo, who figures to be in the starting lineup for most of the team's games over the next 10 days. Verdugo is hoping to provide a spark for the sluggish Dodgers as they open a four-game series against the host Arizona Diamondbacks tonight at Chase Field. Arizona had its three-game winning streak snapped with Sunday's 3-1 loss to Washington and could also be without Robbie Ray for an extended period after he exited in the second inning with a strained oblique muscle. The Diamondbacks own the National League's best record at 19-8 but already had concerns about the rotation after Taijuan Walker underwent season-ending Tommy John surgery last week. However, Arizona is 11-1 in its last 12 regular season meetings with the Dodgers, winning five of six already this season.

The pitching matchup: Ross Stripling (0-0, 0.63 ERA) takes the mound for LA and will face one-time Dodger Zack Greinke (2-2, 4.80 ERA) of Arizona. Stripling is making a spot start in place of Rich Hill, whose expected return from the disabled list has been delayed due to an infection in his left middle finger. The 28-year-old Stripling has pitched exclusively in relief this season, registering 16 strikeouts without serving up a home runs over 14 1/3 innings in 10 appearances. Stripling is 1-2 with a 3.48 ERA in 15 career games (two starts) against Arizona. Greinke pitched for LA from 2013-15, going 51-15 with a 2.30 ERA. He is looking to bounce back from a rough outing against Philadelphia on Wednesday, when he allowed five runs and nine hits in six innings of a 5-3 loss. The four-time All-Star owns a 32-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio but has yielded a HR in each of his five 2018 starts. Greinke is 5-4 with a 3.91 ERA in 12 career starts versus the Dodgers, including a 1-2 record and 3.65 ERA in four starts last season.

The pick: The Arizona Diamondback became the first National League team in 111 seasons to win their first nine series, after taking two of three this weekend from the Nats. They lead the NL West by five games and as noted, are seven up on the Dodgers. Is it 'crazy' to buck Arizona here? I say no, as I often like to take "spot starters" (ala Stripling) and Greinke has been less than dominating when matched up against his one-time teammates. Make the Dodgers a 10* play.