The Houston Astros (101-53), one of the most productive lineups in the AL, are set to host the Arizona Diamondbacks (71-83) at Minute Maid Park on Tuesday for the first of a two-game Interleague series. The Diamondbacks are playing their first of eight games on the road. They won only one out of three in their last series against the Giants, dropping the finale 3-2 on Sunday at Chase Field. Sergio Alcantara was 1 for 3 with one run. The Astros are back home for an eight-game homestand after returning from a successful seven-game road trip (5-2). They split their last series against the Orioles, taking the finale 6-3 on Sunday at Oriole Park at Camden Yards. Aledmys Diaz went 3 for 5 with a double and one run.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The teams have split their games this season 1-1, as the Diamondbacks evened the season series with a 3-2 victory in 10 innings in their most recent meeting on April 13 at Chase Field. Oliver Perez got the win with 0.1 scoreless innings out of the bullpen.
ON THE MOUND
Zach Davies (2-4, 4.03 ERA) is slated to get the start for Arizona. The RHP allowed one run over three innings in his last start, a 6-5 road defeat against the Dodgers on September 20. He gave up five hits while striking out three and walking two in the no-decision. For Houston, right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. (4-1, 2.38 ERA) will toe the rubber. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Diamondbacks. McCullers Jr. made one start against the Diamondbacks in 2021, throwing six innings in a 6-4 home defeat on September 18. He gave up seven hits and walked two, while striking out eight in the no-decision. In his last start on Wednesday, McCullers Jr. got the win on the road against the Rays. He threw seven innings and gave up two runs on six hits, striking out eight and walking two in the 5-2 victory.
AT THE PLATE
The Arizona offense is averaging 4.4 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .229/.305/.385. Christian Walker leads the team in OPS at .806. The first baseman is slashing .237/.326/.479 with 36 home runs, 88 RBIs, and 81 runs over 152 games. Against right-handed pitchers like McCullers Jr. this season, the D-backs have a .705 OPS. Daulton Varsho is the team’s best performer against right-handers with a .814 OPS in 389 at-bats. Houston is slashing .246/.319/.421 for the season and averaging 4.6 runs per game, third best in the AL. Four Astros hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Yordan Alvarez (1.021). The left fielder has 37 home runs, 96 RBIs, and 92 runs scored with a slash line of .303/.407/.614. The ‘Stros have a .724 OPS against right-handers in 2022. With a .886 OPS over 339 at-bats, Alex Bregman has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Arizona is 31-42 away from home in 2022, scoring 4.4 runs per game while allowing 4.6 runs. Houston has gone 50-23 at their home ballpark this season, averaging 4.6 runs per game while surrendering 3.2. In the last 10 games at Minute Maid Park between the teams, Houston is 6-4 with an average scoreline of 4.1-4.1.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Astros lead the AL West by 17 games over the Mariners. Their magic number in the division is zero. The Diamondbacks are fourth in the NL West, 35 games behind the Dodgers. They are sixth in the Wild Card race, 13 games out of third.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Houston Astros (-225)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
