The Arizona Diamondbacks make the trip to Los Angeles to face one of the National League's most formidable rosters on Sunday, July 12, when they take on the Dodgers at UNIQLO Field at Dodger Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 4:10 PM ET. Left-hander Mitch Bratt gets the ball for Arizona against Dodgers right-hander Emmet Sheehan. With the second half of the season underway following the All-Star break, every game from here out carries genuine weight in the NL West standings — and road games at Dodger Stadium don't get any easier.

Arizona Diamondbacks at Los Angeles Dodgers: Sunday July 12, 2026 Preview

Pitching Matchup: Bratt vs. Sheehan

Mitch Bratt draws a tough assignment right out of the gate in this one. The young left-hander will be tested early and often against a Dodgers lineup that features some of the most dangerous bats in the game. There's no available ERA or record data entering this start, so the focus has to be on execution — limiting hard contact and keeping the Dodgers' offense from getting into rhythm. Walks and elevated pitch counts would be a death sentence against this order.

On the other side, Emmet Sheehan takes the hill for Los Angeles. Sheehan has the stuff to keep Arizona hitters off-balance, and pitching at home gives him an additional edge. Arizona's offense will need to be patient, work counts, and find ways to make Sheehan throw pitches.

The Dodgers Lineup Is a Problem from Top to Bottom

Let's be direct: the Dodgers' confirmed lineup for this game is as deep as any in baseball. Shohei Ohtani leads off as the designated hitter, followed by Andy Pages in center field. Freddie Freeman bats third at first base, with Mookie Betts sliding into the four hole at shortstop. Tommy Edman hits fifth at second base, and Kyle Tucker brings power from the right field spot at six. Teoscar Hernández, Max Muncy, and Eliezer Alfonzo round out the bottom of the order.

There is no soft spot in that lineup. Ohtani through Tucker is as dangerous a stretch of five hitters as Arizona will see all season. Bratt cannot fall behind in counts, and he cannot let the big boppers beat him with fastballs in the zone. The D-backs' bullpen may be called upon early if Bratt runs into trouble.

Keys to the Game for Arizona

• Get Bratt deep into the game: Taxing the D-backs' bullpen against a lineup this powerful is a recipe for a long afternoon. Arizona needs at least five quality innings from Bratt.
• Limit Ohtani and Freeman's damage: Those two are the engines of this offense. Keeping them off the bases, or at least stranding them, is critical to any Arizona path to a win.
• Manufacture runs early: Arizona's lineup data is unavailable for this preview, but the D-backs have the athletes to put pressure on a defense. Getting on the board first against Sheehan would change the dynamic of the game immediately.
• Avoid the big inning: With this much pop in the Dodger order, one mistake pitch can turn a one-run deficit into a five-run hole fast. Bratt and whoever follows him must limit the crooked numbers.

Prediction

This is a tough road spot. The Dodgers are at home, their lineup is loaded, and Arizona is sending a pitcher without a documented performance track record to lean on entering this matchup. That said, the D-backs have shown they can compete in hostile environments, and Bratt has a chance to establish himself with a strong outing. Arizona's offense will need to be opportunistic against Sheehan rather than waiting for the three-run homer.

Dodgers win a close one, 4-2. But don't sleep on the D-backs to make it interesting.

Watch on DBACKS.TV or listen on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM.