Free MLB Picks Today: Arizona Diamondbacks vs San Francisco Giants 5/11/23

The Arizona Diamondbacks (20-17), one of the best offenses in the NL, are set to host the San Francisco Giants (16-20) at Chase Field on Thursday for the opener of a four-game series. The Giants are heading on the road after a six-game homestand (3-3).

They won only one out of three in their last series against the Nationals, dropping the finale 11-6 on Wednesday at Oracle Park. LaMonte Wade Jr. was 1 for 4 with a home run and three RBIs.

The Diamondbacks are kicking off the final series of their 10-game homestand. They lost two of three against the Marlins in their last series, dropping the finale 5-4 on Wednesday at Chase Field. Pavin Smith went 1 for 2 with one run and one RBI, walking twice.

The teams are meeting for the first time this season. The Diamondbacks won the 2022 season series between the NL West rivals (10-9), although they dropped two out of three in their most recent meeting at Oracle Park at the end of September.

ON THE MOUND

Alex Cobb (2-1, 2.01 ERA) is in line to start for San Francisco. The RHP ranks third in the NL in ERA. Cobb threw seven scoreless innings in his last start, a 4-1 home win over the Brewers on Saturday. He was credited with the win, scattering five hits while striking out five and walking two.

Over five starts against the Diamondbacks in 2022, Cobb was 2-2 with a 5.14 ERA over 28 innings. He had 20 strikeouts and 11 walks. LHP Tommy Henry (1-0, 5.17 ERA) will toe the rubber for Arizona. Henry made one start against the Giants in 2022, throwing 4.2 innings in a 6-5 home defeat on September 23.

He gave up six hits and walked three, while striking out six in the no-decision. In his last start on Saturday, Henry took a no-decision at home against the Nationals. He threw six innings and gave up two runs on six hits, striking out three and walking two in the 8-7 win.

AT THE PLATE

The San Francisco offense is averaging 4.4 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .242/.321/.425. Wade Jr. leads the team in OPS at .949.

The left fielder is slashing .261/.438/.511 with seven home runs, 13 RBIs, and 15 runs over 34 games. Against left-handed pitchers like Henry this season, the Giants have a .656 OPS, fifth lowest in MLB.

Wilmer Flores is the team’s strongest hitter against left-handers with a 1.006 OPS in 46 at-bats. Arizona is slashing .273/.330/.443 for the season and averaging 5.2 runs per game, third best in the NL. Four Diamondbacks hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Corbin Carroll (.886).

The center fielder has five home runs, 11 RBIs, and 23 runs scored with a slash line of .299/.364/.521. The D-backs have a .791 OPS against right-handers in 2023, fourth highest in the league. With a .925 OPS over 81 at-bats, Carroll also has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

San Francisco is 6-10 away from home in 2023, scoring 5.2 runs per game while allowing 5.4 runs. Arizona has gone 11-9 at Chase Field this season, averaging 5.3 runs per game while surrendering 4.5. In the last 10 games between the teams at Chase Field, Arizona is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 5.4-3.4.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Giants are fourth in the NL West, five games behind the division-leading Dodgers. The Diamondbacks are second in the NL West, one games behind the Dodgers.