The Los Angeles Dodgers travel to Chase Field to face the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday, August 7, with first pitch set for 9:40 PM ET. Roki Sasaki gets the ball for Los Angeles against Diamondbacks right-hander Merrill Kelly in what shapes up as a compelling pitching matchup between two clubs that know each other well. Division games in August carry weight, and this one — deep in NL West territory — is exactly the kind of start Sasaki needs to build on heading into the final stretch of the regular season.

Pitching Matchup: Sasaki vs. Kelly at Chase Field

Roki Sasaki draws the assignment for Los Angeles. The Japanese right-hander made waves when he signed with the Dodgers, and every start in the second half of the season is a chance to prove he belongs in a high-leverage rotation spot when October rolls around. Chase Field's retractable roof and dry desert air can play differently than Dodger Stadium, and Sasaki's ability to command his splitter in a road environment will be worth watching closely.

On the other side, Merrill Kelly is a veteran presence who has given Arizona innings and reliability over multiple seasons. Kelly works efficiently and mixes his pitches well, making him a legitimate challenge for any lineup. The Dodgers will need to be patient and look for opportunities to damage him early in counts rather than letting him work deep into the game on his terms.

Arizona Lineup to Watch

The Diamondbacks are sending out a lineup with genuine offensive depth. Ketel Marte slots in at cleanup at second base — he is one of the more dangerous hitters in the National League and a player Sasaki cannot afford to work around without consequences. Corbin Carroll bats second in right field and brings speed and on-base ability that can create problems before Marte even steps to the plate.

• Geraldo Perdomo leads off at shortstop — a contact-first hitter who is tough to put away
• Corbin Carroll in the two-hole adds athleticism and baserunning threat
• Gabriel Moreno hits third — the catcher has real bat-to-ball skills and can punish mistakes
• Ketel Marte anchors the cleanup spot with power from both sides of the plate
• Lars Nootbaar at DH gives Arizona a left-handed threat in the five-hole
• Nolan Arenado bats sixth — even later in his career, Arenado remains a professional hitter with big-game experience

Keys to the Game for Los Angeles

Sasaki's Command Against a Patient Lineup

Arizona is not a free-swinging group. The Dodgers need Sasaki to establish his fastball early and keep his splitter in the zone when he needs a swing-and-miss. If he falls behind in counts consistently, Kelly and the Chase Field crowd will make this a long night.

Offensive Approach Against Kelly

Los Angeles will need to put together quality at-bats against a pitcher who does not beat himself. Kelly limits free passes and works efficiently. The Dodgers' lineup will have to manufacture something — whether that means stringing hits together or creating pressure on the basepaths.

Bullpen Depth

August road games in a division race have a way of leaning on the bullpen. However many innings Sasaki gives the club, the arms behind him need to be sharp.

Prediction

This is a coin-flip game decided by pitching. Sasaki has the stuff to keep Arizona's lineup in check, but Chase Field in August is not a comfortable road environment. Give the edge to Sasaki pitching into the sixth, the Dodgers' lineup finding enough against Kelly, and Los Angeles escaping with a 3-2 win. Division games on the road are never easy — but this is a winnable one.