Two of the highest-scoring offenses in the National League are set to face off at Chase Field on Friday as the Atlanta Braves (33-23) are on the road to face the Arizona Diamondbacks (34-23) for the first of a three-game series.
The Braves are in the midst of a six-game road trip. They won only one out of three in their last series against the Athletics, taking the finale 4-2 on Wednesday at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Orlando Arcia was 3 for 3 with two runs.
The Diamondbacks are kicking off the final series of their 10-game homestand. They are coming off a four-game sweep of the Rockies, taking the finale 5-4 on Thursday at Chase Field for their fifth straight win. Christian Walker went 3 for 4 with a double and one run. Ketel Marte added two doubles, two runs, and one RBI.
The teams are meeting for the first time this season. Last season, the Braves won four of the six games between the teams, including a sweep in their most recent meeting, a three-game set at Truist Park in July.
ON THE MOUND
Charlie Morton (5-5, 3.61 ERA) is set to get the start for Atlanta. The RHP allowed two runs over 5.1 innings in his last start, a 2-1 home defeat against the Phillies on Saturday. He was charged with the loss, scattering seven hits while striking out nine and walking four.
Morton made one start against the Diamondbacks in 2022, an 8-7 road loss on May 31. He surrendered four runs on four hits over five innings, striking out five and walking two.
Right-hander Merrill Kelly (6-3, 2.83 ERA) will toe the rubber for Arizona. Kelly made one start against the Braves in 2022, throwing seven innings in a 1-0 road defeat on July 31.
He gave up three hits and walked two while striking out eight in the no-decision. In his last start on Sunday, Kelly got the win at home against the Red Sox. He threw 6.1 innings and gave up one run on four hits, striking out 10 and walking two in the 4-2 triumph. The RHP is tied for third in the NL in wins.
AT THE PLATE
The Atlanta offense is averaging 5.0 runs per game for the season, fifth best in MLB, with a slash line of .256/.328/.458. Ronald Acuna Jr. leads the team in OPS at .960. The right fielder is slashing .324/.406/.554 with 11 home runs, 31 RBIs, and 48 runs over 56 games.
Over the last five games, however, Atlanta has averaged only 3.8 runs a game while performing worse across the board (.240/.270/.415). Against righties like Kelly this season, the Braves have a .735 OPS. Matt Olson is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a 1.020 OPS in 144 at-bats.
Arizona is slashing .262/.324/.434 for the season and averaging 5.0 runs per game, third-best in the National League. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. leads the team with a .907 OPS. The left fielder has nine home runs, 33 RBIs, and 30 runs scored with a slash line of .311/.359/.547.
The D-backs have a .766 OPS against right-handers in 2023, the fourth highest in the league. With a .941 OPS over 132 at-bats, Gurriel Jr. also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Atlanta is 18-9 away from home in 2023, scoring 5.3 runs per game while allowing 3.1 runs. Arizona has won five in a row at Chase Field.
The D-backs are 19-12 at home this season, averaging 4.9 runs per game while surrendering 4.0. In the last 10 games between the teams at Chase Field, Atlanta is 7-3 with an average scoreline of 5.8-3.5.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Braves lead the NL East by four games over the Marlins. The Diamondbacks are second in the NL West, zero games behind the Dodgers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Arizona Diamondbacks +1.5 (-160)
Want up to a $1K risk-free bet for this pick?
Claim with 
today!
If you need more news, information, and predictions, head over to our MLB hub page for all your baseball needs!
*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
