Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks NLDS Game 1 Starting Pitcher Matchup - October 7

Updated Oct. 7, 2023 5:44 p.m. ET

Data Skrive

The Los Angeles Dodgers square off against the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 1 of the NLDS on Saturday at 9:20 PM ET at Dodger Stadium.

Learn more about this Dodgers vs. Diamondbacks matchup on Fox Sports.

The matchup on the mound for this contest is set with the Los Angeles Dodgers looking to Clayton Kershaw (13-5), and Merrill Kelly (12-8) taking the ball for the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Dodgers Probable Starter: Clayton Kershaw

Kershaw gets the start for the Dodgers, his 25th of the season. He is 13-5 with a 2.46 ERA and 137 strikeouts in 131 2/3 innings pitched.
His last appearance came on Sunday against the San Francisco Giants, when the lefty went 5 1/3 innings, surrendering two earned runs while giving up five hits.
In 24 games this season, the 35-year-old has put up an ERA of 2.46, with 9.4 strikeouts per nine innings. Opponents are hitting .209 against him.
Kershaw enters the game with 11 quality starts under his belt this season.
Kershaw will try to extend a three-game streak of pitching five or more innings (he's averaging 5.5 innings per outing).
In seven of his appearances this season he did not surrender an earned run.
He will match up with a Diamondbacks team that is batting .250 as a unit (13th in MLB). It is also slugging a collective .408 (17th in MLB) with 166 total home runs (22nd in MLB).
Head-to-head against the Diamondbacks this season, Kershaw has pitched 17 innings, giving up six earned runs on 14 hits while striking out 18.

Kershaw's Game Props

Strikeouts Prop: Over/Under 4.5 (Over Odds: +110)
Hits Prop: Over/Under 4.5 (Over Odds: +110)

Kershaw's Recent Appearances

Opponent	Date	IP	H	R	ER	K	BB
at Giants	Sep. 30	5.1	5	2	2	5	2
vs. Giants	Sep. 23	5.0	2	0	0	5	2
at Mariners	Sep. 16	4.0	2	0	0	4	2
at Marlins	Sep. 5	5.0	5	3	3	3	5
vs. Diamondbacks	Aug. 29	5.0	3	1	1	5	3

Diamondbacks Probable Starter: Merrill Kelly

The Diamondbacks' Kelly (12-8) will make his 31st start of the season.
The right-hander's last appearance was on Sunday, when he threw seven innings against the Houston Astros, giving up one earned run while allowing five hits.
The 34-year-old has an ERA of 3.39, a 2.71 strikeout-to-walk ratio and a WHIP of 1.193 in 30 games this season.
In 30 starts this season, he's earned 18 quality starts.
Kelly will look to pitch five or more innings for the 30th start in a row.
In 30 appearances this season, he has finished three without allowing an earned run.
The Dodgers rank second in MLB with 906 runs scored this season. They have a .258 batting average this campaign with 249 home runs (second in the league).
The Dodgers have gone 27-for-79 with eight doubles and 11 RBI in four games against the right-hander this season.
The 34-year-old ranks 13th in ERA (3.39), 23rd in WHIP (1.193), and 16th in K/9 (9.5) among qualified pitchers in the majors this season.