Ketel Marte will be looking to extend his 26-game on-base streak as the Arizona Diamondbacks (29-23) host the Boston Red Sox (28-24) at Chase Field on Sunday with the visitors eyeing a sweep of the three-game Interleague series.
The Red Sox lead the series 2-0 after winning 2-1 on Saturday. Garrett Whitlock got the win, giving up one run on three hits over five innings, and Kenley Jansen earned his 11th save with a scoreless ninth. Masataka Yoshida was 2 for 3 with one run in the win. Marte went 1 for 4 with a solo home run for the Diamondbacks.
ON THE MOUND
Tanner Houck (3-3, 4.99 ERA) is slated for the start for Boston. The right-hander allowed one run over six innings in his last start, a 2-1 road defeat against the Angels on Monday. He gave up three hits while striking out eight and walking two in the no-decision.
For Arizona, righty Merrill Kelly (5-3, 2.98 ERA) will toe the rubber. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Red Sox. In his last start on May 21, Kelly got the win on the road against the Pirates.
He threw five innings and gave up three runs (2 ER) on three hits, striking out four and walking two in the 8-3 victory. The RHP is tied for fifth in the NL in wins.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Boston has averaged only 2.6 runs a game, down from their season average of 5.2, while slashing worse across the board (.209/.279/.301). Against right-handed pitchers like Kelly this season, the Sox have a .771 OPS, fifth highest in the league.
Alex Verdugo is the team’s best hitter against right-handers with a .897 OPS in 131 at-bats. Arizona is averaging only 3.6 runs per game in the last five, down from 5.0 for the season, with their slash line falling across the board (.209/.269/.384).
The D-backs have a .775 OPS against right-handers in 2023, fourth highest in the league. With a .390 OBP over 116 at-bats, Corbin Carroll has their highest on-base percentage against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Boston is 13-13 away from home in 2023, scoring 4.4 runs per game while allowing 4.4 runs. Arizona has gone 14-12 at home this season, averaging 4.8 runs per game while surrendering 4.3. Boston is 5-3 in eight games at Chase Field between the teams with an average scoreline of 4.6-4.3.
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, two games behind the Dodgers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Arizona DBacks (-120)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
