Free MLB Picks Today: Arizona Diamondbacks vs Atlanta Braves 6/3/23

The Atlanta Braves (33-24) are on the road to face the Arizona Diamondbacks (35-23) at Chase Field on Saturday. The Diamondbacks took Friday’s series opener 3-2, their sixth straight victory overall.

Starter Merrill Kelly went seven innings, allowing two runs on five hits and striking out eight, to get the win, and Miguel Castro picked up his sixth save with a scoreless ninth.

Geraldo Perdomo went 2 for 4 with one run in the win. Eddie Rosario was 3 for 4 with two solo home runs for the Braves.

ON THE MOUND

Spencer Strider (5-2, 2.97 ERA) is in line for the start for Atlanta. The right-hander leads the league in strikeouts (106). Strider allowed two runs over six innings in his last start, an 11-4 home win over the Phillies on Sunday. He got the win, giving up two hits while striking out nine and walking one.

Strider is making his first appearance against the Diamondbacks this season. Strider made one start against the Diamondbacks in 2022, a 6-2 road loss on May 30. He surrendered five runs on four hits over 4.1 innings, striking out seven and walking two.

Righty Ryne Nelson (2-2, 5.37 ERA) gets the start for Arizona. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Braves. In his last start on Monday, Nelson got the win at home against the Rockies. He threw five innings and gave up five runs on eight hits, striking out one and walking three in the 7-5 victory.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Atlanta has averaged 4.0 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 5.0. Against right-handed pitchers like Nelson this season, the Braves have a .735 OPS. Matt Olson is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a 1.014 OPS in 146 at-bats.

Arizona is averaging 5.2 runs per game in the last five, up slightly from 5.0 for the season. The D-backs have a .760 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .384 OBP over 139 at-bats, Corbin Carroll has their highest on-base percentage against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Atlanta is 18-10 away from Truist Park in 2023, scoring 5.2 runs per game while allowing 3.1 runs. Arizona has won six in a row in front of their home fans.

The D-backs are 20-12 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 6-4 with an average scoreline of 5.8-3.7.