The Arizona Diamondbacks (35-24) host the Atlanta Braves (34-24) at Chase Field on Sunday with the three-game series in the balance. The Braves leveled the series 1-1 after winning 5-2 on Saturday.
Starter Spencer Strider went six innings for the win, giving up two runs on three hits and striking out seven, and Raisel Iglesias earned his sixth save with a scoreless ninth.
Ronald Acuna Jr. was 2 for 5 with a home run and a double in the win. He scored two runs. Marcell Ozuna added one run and one RBI on two hits. Emmanuel Rivera went 2 for 4 with a double and one run for the Diamondbacks.
ON THE MOUND
Michael Soroka (0-1, 6.00 ERA) is in line to take the mound for Atlanta. The right-hander allowed four runs over six innings in his last start, a 7-2 home defeat against the Athletics on Monday. He was charged with the loss, scattering five hits while striking out three and walking two.
For Arizona, RHP Zac Gallen (7-2, 2.72 ERA) gets the ball. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Braves. Gallen made one start against the Braves in 2022, throwing 5.2 innings in a 6-2 home win on May 30.
He gave up seven hits and walked two, while striking out six in the win. In his last start on Tuesday, Gallen got the win at home against the Rockies.
He threw six scoreless innings and gave up five hits, striking out seven and walking two in the 5-1 triumph. The right-hander is tied for the NL lead in wins and is fourth in ERA.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Atlanta has averaged only 2.8 runs a game, down from their season average of 5.0, while slashing worse across the board (.216/.278/.383).
Against right-handed pitchers like Gallen this season, the Braves have a .740 OPS. Matt Olson is the team’s best hitter against right-handers with a 1.002 OPS in 149 at-bats.
Arizona is averaging only 4.2 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 4.9 for the season. The D-backs have a .758 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .374 OBP over 142 at-bats, Corbin Carroll has their highest on-base percentage against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Atlanta is 19-10 in away games in 2023, scoring 5.2 runs per game while allowing 3.1 runs. Arizona has gone 20-13 at home this season, averaging 4.8 runs per game while surrendering 4.0. In the last 10 games at Chase Field between the teams, Atlanta is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 5.7-3.5.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Braves lead the NL East by three games over the Marlins. The Diamondbacks lead the NL West by zero games over the Diamondbacks.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Arizona Diamondbacks (-140)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
