The Arizona Diamondbacks (41-28), one of the highest-scoring offenses in baseball, are set to host the Cleveland Guardians (32-36) at Chase Field on Friday to open a three-game Interleague series.
The Guardians are in the midst of a six-game road trip. They won only one out of three in their last series against the Padres, taking the finale 8-6 on Thursday at Petco Park.
Jose Ramirez was 3 for 4 with a double, one run, and two RBIs. David Fry added a home run and a double. He scored two runs and had three RBIs.
The Diamondbacks are in the midst of a seven-game homestand. They lost three of four against the Phillies in their last series, dropping the finale 5-4 on Thursday at Chase Field.
Ketel Marte’s on-base streak is up to 10 as he went 2 for 4 with a home run and three RBIs. The teams are meeting for the first time this season. Last season, the Guardians won two of the three games between the teams.
ON THE MOUND
Triston McKenzie (0-1, 4.50 ERA) is slated for the start for Cleveland. The right-hander allowed five runs over five innings in his last start, a 6-4 road defeat against the Astros on Saturday.
He was charged with the loss, scattering seven hits while striking out five and walking three. McKenzie made one start against the Diamondbacks in 2022, a 6-3 home loss on August 2. He surrendered five runs on six hits over six innings, striking out seven and walking two.
For Arizona, righty Zac Gallen (7-2, 3.09 ERA) will toe the rubber. Gallen made one start against the Guardians in 2022, throwing 5.2 innings in a 6-3 road win on August 2. He gave up six hits and walked three while striking out five in the win.
In his last start on Sunday, Gallen took a no-decision on the road against the Tigers. He threw 5.2 innings and gave up five runs on 10 hits, striking out five and walking two in the 7-5 victory. The right-hander is tied for fifth in the NL in wins.
AT THE PLATE
The Cleveland offense is averaging 3.8 runs per game for the season, the fourth lowest in the league, with a slash line of .243/.309/.366. Ramirez leads the team in OPS at .855. The third baseman is slashing .289/.357/.498 with 10 home runs, 40 RBIs, and 39 runs over 64 games.
Against righties like Gallen this season, the Guardians have a .672 OPS, the fifth lowest in the league. Andres Gimenez is the team’s strongest performer against right-handers with a .577 OPS in 164 at-bats. Arizona is slashing .263/.328/.437 for the season and averaging 5.1 runs per game, fifth best in MLB.
Four Diamondbacks hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Corbin Carroll (.977). The center fielder has 14 home runs, 35 RBIs, and 51 runs scored with a slash line of .306/.391/.586.
The D-backs have a .773 OPS against right-handers in 2023, the fourth highest in MLB. With a 1.065 OPS over 164 at-bats, Carroll also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Cleveland is 16-19 on the road in 2023, scoring 4.2 runs per game while allowing 4.5 runs. Arizona has lost three in a row at their home park.
The D-backs are 21-17 at home this season, averaging 4.8 runs per game while surrendering 4.5. Arizona is 7-3 in the last 10 games between the teams at Chase Field with an average scoreline of 6.1-4.2.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Guardians are second in the AL Central, two games behind the division-leading Twins. The Diamondbacks lead the NL West by two games over the Dodgers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Arizona Diamondbacks (-150)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
