Free MLB Picks Today: Arizona Diamondbacks vs San Diego Padres 9/17/22

Zac Gallen, one of this season’s stingiest pitchers, is set to take the mound for the Arizona Diamondbacks (+185) as they match up against the San Diego Padres (-225) at Chase Field on Saturday. The early total was set at 7 runs (O: -120 | U: +100). The Padres (79-66) evened the series 1-1 after winning 12-3 on Friday, their 12th head-to-head victory in 17 games this season. Starter Blake Snell went seven innings to get the win, allowing one run on four hits and striking out seven. Ha-Seong Kim was 3 for 5 with a home run and a double in the win. He scored three runs. Brandon Drury added two home runs and three RBIs. Christian Walker went 2 for 4 with two home runs and three RBIs for the Diamondbacks (68-76).

ON THE MOUND

Joe Musgrove (9-7, 2.96 ERA) is in line to start for San Diego. The right-hander allowed four runs over 5.1 innings in his last start, an 11-2 road defeat against the Dodgers on Sunday. He took the loss, yielding six hits while striking out five and walking one. Over two previous starts against the Diamondbacks this season, Musgrove has allowed six earned runs over 10.1 innings (0-0, 5.23). He has struck out 11 and walked two. Right-hander Gallen (12-2, 2.42 ERA) is on the mound for Arizona. He has made two appearances against the Padres this season, both starts, giving up eight runs (7 ER) over 11 innings (0-0, 5.73) with 13 strikeouts and five walks. In his last start on Sunday, Gallen got the win on the road against the Rockies. He threw six innings and gave up three runs on four hits, striking out 11, in the 12-6 triumph. The RHP ranks third in the NL in ERA.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, San Diego has averaged 3.4 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 4.4. Against righties like Gallen this season, the Padres have a .697 OPS. Manny Machado is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a .918 OPS in 370 at-bats. Arizona is averaging only 2.4 runs per game in the last five, down from 4.4 for the season, with their slash line falling across the board (.173/.209/.353). The D-backs have a .711 OPS against right-handers in 2022. With a .822 OPS over 368 at-bats, Daulton Varsho has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

San Diego is 41-35 in away games in 2022, scoring 4.9 runs per game while allowing 4.5 runs. Arizona has gone 39-37 at home this season, averaging 4.5 runs per game while surrendering 4.5. San Diego is 6-4 in the last 10 games between the NL West rivals at Chase Field with an average scoreline of 4.8-3.3.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Padres are second in the NL West, 21 games behind the division-leading Dodgers. They currently occupy one of the Wild Card spots, sitting third with a magic number of zero. The Diamondbacks are fourth in the NL West, 31 games behind the Dodgers. They are sixth in the Wild Card race, 10 games out of a postseason position.