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Dodgers vs. Angels Best bets: Odds, predictions, recent stats, and trends for September 4

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Pavin Smith

ARI First Baseman #26

Pavin Smith delivered a three-run homer, a grand slam and a solo blast in his first three at-bats Sunday to power the Diamondbacks past the Astros 12-6.

Smith had two chances at homer No. 4, but he struck out in the seventh and walked (after previously taking what really should have been strike three) in the ninth. Smith has come to the plate 102 times and hit seven homers this year, matching his total from 228 plate appearances last year. His strikeout rate is also well down, and his exit velocity numbers are terrific. It would have been fun to see what he could do when Christian Walker was hurt, but the D-backs were able to acquire Josh Bell then. He has earned an opportunity to be a starter against righties next year.
Ryne Nelson

ARI Starting Pitcher #19

Ryne Nelson surrendered five runs in 4 2/3 innings Sunday against the Astros.

Nelson was handed an 8-0 lead after three, but the Astros got to him for two runs in the fourth and three in the fifth, causing him to be pulled an out shy of qualifying for the win. Nelson’s streak of quality starts was snapped at five. He’ll likely make his next start Sunday against the Brewers.
Justin Verlander

HOU Starting Pitcher #35

Justin Verlander was pulled after giving up eight runs in three innings against the Diamondbacks on Sunday.

Seven of the runs came on two homers from Pavin Smith, but he wasn’t the only problem tonight. Verlander got zero swings and misses the 34 times he threw secondary pitches, and the 10 fastballs he had put in play were hit an average of 96 mph. His velocity tonight was better than in his previous two starts, and he had his usual movement on his pitches. He was simply crushed anyway, which seems like a particularly bad sign. Still, it probably should be factored in that the Diamondbacks have made a bunch of quality pitchers look pretty bad these last couple of months. Verlander will bring a 3-6 record and a 5.30 ERA into his start next weekend against the angels.
Eugenio Suarez

ARI Third Baseman #28

Eugenio Suárez went 4-for-5 with a homer and four runs scored versus the Astros on Sunday.

That would usually make a player his team’s offensive star for the night, but the guy hitting behind Suárez supplied three homers in this one. It helped Suárez score four runs for the second time in six weeks as well as the second time in his career; he previously did it in his three-homer game July 30 against the Nationals. Suárez’s homer off Josh Hader was his 26th, and it gave him his third 90-RBI season.
Kyle Tucker

HOU Left Fielder #30

Kyle Tucker singled, walked and scored twice as the Astros’ designated hitter Sunday.

Tucker was back in the DH spot tonight after getting Saturday off in what would have been his second game back from a shin fracture. It looks like he might make his return to right field in the coming days.
Duke Ellis

NYY Center Fielder #70

Yankees optioned OF Duke Ellis to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre.

Jon Berti is ready to come off the IL, so that’s probably the countermove here, not a Jasson Domínguez callup. Ellis went 1-for-1 with a steak in three appearances for the Yankees.
Ha-Seong Kim

SD Second Baseman #7

Ha-Seong Kim had difficulties with his injured shoulder while trying to make throws across the diamond Saturday, making a quick return to the Padres less likely.

Kim has been out since Aug. 19 with shoulder inflammation. There was some hope he might return this week, but it doesn’t look like that will happen. The Padres have been going with Mason McCoy at shortstop, but they might soon bite the bullet to move Xander Bogaerts back to his old spot, opening up more playing time for David Peralta and Donovan Solano.
Matt Chapman

SF Third Baseman #26

Matt Chapman finished 2-for-3 with a two-run homer and a steal versus the Padres in the Giants’ 7-6 win Sunday.

Look who just might want to get himself a 20/20 season. Chapman has always been sneaky high on the sprint speed lists, but he was 11-for-23 stealing bases in seven seasons coming into this year. Right now, he’s 15-for-17, making for one of the most surprising stats of 2024. He already has the 20 homers; today’s off Joe Musgrove was his 23rd.
Spencer Bivens

SF Relief Pitcher #76

Pitching on three days’ rest after throwing four innings in relief, Spencer Bivens allowed one run over 4 1/3 innings in his start against the Padres on Sunday.

Bivens was filling in for Kyle Harrison today. He might head back to the pen when Robbie Ray gets back, but he’s been excellent in amassing a 2.77 ERA through 39 innings (two starts, 18 relief appearances). If he stays in the rotation, he’ll face the Padres again next weekend.
Ryan Walker

SF Relief Pitcher #74

Ryan Walker faced four batters and got five outs Sunday to pick up his seventh save against the Padres.

Walker came in with out in the eighth after Camilo Doval gave up two runs, and he immediately got a double play. He then pitched a perfect ninth. Doval had previously been pretty good since his recall, but there’s no doubt about who the man is in the Giants pen right now.