Free MLB Picks Today: Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim vs Arizona Diamondbacks 7/1/23

The Arizona Diamondbacks (49-34) are on the road to face the Los Angeles Angels (44-40) at Angel Stadium of Anaheim on Saturday. The Diamondbacks took Friday’s series opener 6-2.

Tommy Henry went 5.2 innings, giving up one run on four hits and striking out eight, to get the win. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. was 2 for 5 with a home run, two runs, and four RBIs in the win. Shohei Ohtani went 1 for 2 with a home run and two runs, walking twice, for the Angels.

ON THE MOUND

Ryne Nelson (4-4, 4.97 ERA) is slated to get the start for Arizona. The right-hander allowed one run over seven innings in his last start, a 5-2 road win over the Giants on Sunday. He got the win, scattering three hits while striking out six and walking two.

Left-hander Tyler Anderson (4-2, 5.54 ERA) is on the mound for Los Angeles. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Diamondbacks.

Anderson made four appearances against the Diamondbacks in 2022, all as the starter, striking out 21 and walking five over 26 innings (3-1, 0.69).

In his last start on Sunday, Anderson took the loss on the road against the Rockies. He threw six innings and gave up three runs on four hits, striking out nine and walking two in the 4-3 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Arizona has averaged 4.4 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 5.1. Against lefties like Anderson this season, the D-backs have a .734 OPS.

Evan Longoria is the team’s strongest hitter against left-handers with a .961 OPS in 62 at-bats. Los Angeles is averaging only 4.0 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 5.0 for the season.

The Halos have a .783 OPS against right-handers in 2023, the third highest in MLB. With a 1.095 OPS over 230 at-bats, Ohtani has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Arizona is 25-14 in road games in 2023, scoring 5.6 runs per game while allowing 4.8 runs. Los Angeles has lost three in a row at Angel Stadium of Anaheim.

The Halos are 22-19 at home this season, averaging 4.6 runs per game while surrendering 4.8. In the last 10 meetings at Angel Stadium of Anaheim, each club has won five, though Arizona has the scoring advantage with an average final margin of 4.6-4.3.