The Boston Red Sox (26-24) take one of the highest-scoring offenses in the AL on the road to face the Arizona Diamondbacks (29-21), one of the most productive lineups in the NL, to open a three-game Interleague series.
The Red Sox are kicking off the final series of their nine-game road trip. They were just swept in three games against the Angels, dropping the finale 7-3 on Wednesday at Angel Stadium of Anaheim for their fourth straight loss.
Connor Wong was 1 for 3 with a home run and two runs. The Diamondbacks are playing the first of 10 games at home after finishing up a successful nine-game road trip (6-3).
They won two of three against the Phillies in their last series, dropping the finale 6-5 on Wednesday at Citizens Bank Park. Evan Longoria went 1 for 2 with a home run and two RBIs.
The teams are meeting for the first time since April 7, 2019, when the Red Sox avoided a three-game series sweep with a 1-0 win at Chase Field.
ON THE MOUND
Chris Sale (4-2, 5.01 ERA) is in line to take the mound for Boston. The southpaw allowed two runs over seven innings in his last start, a 4-2 road win over the Padres on Saturday. He was credited with the win, scattering three hits while striking out eight and walking one.
RHP Brandon Pfaadt (0-1, 7.65 ERA) gets the ball for Arizona. In his last start on Saturday, Pfaadt took a no-decision on the road against the Pirates. He threw 5.1 innings and gave up three runs on six hits, striking out three and walking two in the 4-3 victory.
AT THE PLATE
The Boston offense is averaging 5.2 runs per game for the season, fourth best in MLB, with a slash line of .262/.332/.433. Masataka Yoshida leads the team in OPS at .855. The left fielder is slashing .299/.373/.482 with six home runs, 29 RBIs, and 27 runs over 42 games.
Over the last five games, however, Boston has averaged only 1.6 runs a game while performing worse across the board (.177/.244/.253). Against right-handed pitchers like Pfaadt this season, the Sox have a .765 OPS. Alex Verdugo is the team’s best performer against right-handers with a .878 OPS in 126 at-bats.
Arizona is slashing .264/.329/.436 for the season and averaging 5.1 runs per game, second best in the NL. Four Diamondbacks hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (.928). The left fielder has eight home runs, 27 RBIs, and 29 runs scored with a slash line of .317/.372/.557.
The D-backs have a .741 OPS against left-handers in 2023. With a 1.110 OPS over 49 at-bats, Christian Walker has been their best hitter against left-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Boston is on a four-game losing streak on the road, bringing their record to 11-13 in 2023. The Sox have scored 4.4 runs per game away from home, while allowing 4.7 runs. Arizona has won three in a row at their home ballpark.
The D-backs are 14-10 at home this season, averaging 5.1 runs per game while surrendering 4.3. In six games at Chase Field between the teams, each club has won three, though Arizona has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 5.2-4.7.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Red Sox are fourth in the AL East, nine games behind the division-leading Rays. The Diamondbacks are second in the NL West, one games behind the Dodgers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Boston Red Sox (-150)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
