Free MLB Picks Today: Arizona Diamondbacks vs Washington Nationals 5/6/23

Hot-hitting Corbin Carroll will be looking to extend his 10-game hitting streak as the Arizona Diamondbacks (18-14) host the Washington Nationals (13-19) at Chase Field on Saturday. The Diamondbacks took Friday’s series opener 3-1.

Starter Merrill Kelly got the win, allowing one run on four hits over seven innings and striking out 10, and Andrew Chafin earned his fifth save with a scoreless ninth. Carroll went 1 for 3 with a solo home run in the win. Luis Garcia was 2 for 4 with a solo home run for the Nationals.

ON THE MOUND

MacKenzie Gore (3-2, 3.77 ERA) is set to take the mound for Washington. The LHP allowed four runs over four innings in his last start, a 5-1 road defeat against the Cubs on Monday. He was charged with the loss, giving up seven hits while striking out four and walking two.

Gore is making his first appearance against the Diamondbacks this season. Gore made one appearance against the Diamondbacks in 2022, a 3-1 home loss for the Padres on July 17.

He surrendered two runs on one hit over 0.1 innings, striking out one and walking two. For Arizona, southpaw Tommy Henry (1-0, 6.52 ERA) will toe the rubber.

It’s his first appearance of the season against the Nationals. In his last start on April 29, Henry got the win on the road against the Rockies. He threw 5.1 innings and gave up four runs on seven hits, striking out three and walking one in the 11-4 victory.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Washington has averaged only 2.4 runs a game, down from their season average of 3.6, while performing worse across the board (.219/.239/.338). Against lefties like Henry this season, the Nats have a .743 OPS.

Victor Robles is the team’s strongest performer against left-handers with a .944 OPS in 25 at-bats. Arizona is averaging 6.8 runs per game in the last five, up from 5.1 for the season, with a higher slash line (.278/.352/.506).

The D-backs have a .729 OPS against left-handers in 2023. With a 1.008 OPS over 36 at-bats, Christian Walker has been their best hitter against left-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Washington is 7-7 in road games in 2023, scoring 4.5 runs per game while allowing 3.6 runs. Arizona has gone 9-6 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 5.2 runs per game while surrendering 4.1. In the last 10 meetings at Chase Field, Arizona is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 6.1-4.7.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Nationals are fifth in the NL East, eight games behind the division-leading Braves. The Diamondbacks are second in the NL West, zero games behind the Dodgers.