The Arizona Diamondbacks (23-18) take one of the most productive lineups in the National League on the road to face the Oakland Athletics (9-33) at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum on Monday for the first of a three-game Interleague series.
The Diamondbacks are embarking on a nine-game road trip after wrapping up a 10-game homestand (6-4). They won three out of four in their last series against the Giants, taking the finale 2-1 on Sunday at Chase Field.
The Athletics are in the midst of a seven-game homestand. They lost three of four against the Rangers in their last series, dropping the finale 11-3 on Sunday at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Shea Langeliers went 2 for 3 with a home run and three RBIs.
The teams are meeting for the first time since June 9, 2021, when the Athletics finished off a two-game series sweep with a 4-0 victory at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum.
ON THE MOUND
Merrill Kelly (3-3, 3.18 ERA) is slated to get the start for Arizona. The RHP allowed four runs over six innings in his last start, a 5-4 road defeat against the Marlins on Wednesday. He gave up four hits while striking out six and walking one in the no-decision.
For Oakland, righty Drew Rucinski (0-3, 8.16 ERA) is on the mound. In his last start on Tuesday, Rucinski took the loss on the road against the Yankees. He threw five innings and gave up seven runs (5 ER) on six hits, striking out two and walking three in the 10-5 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
The Arizona offense is averaging 5.1 runs per game for the season, third best in the NL, with a slash line of .273/.332/.440. Four Diamondbacks hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (.886).
The left fielder is slashing .310/.366/.519 with five home runs, 21 RBIs, and 23 runs over 36 games. Against righties like Rucinski this season, the D-backs have a .792 OPS, fourth highest in MLB.
Corbin Carroll is the team’s best performer against right-handers with a .889 OPS in 88 at-bats. Oakland is slashing .232/.312/.385 for the season and averaging 3.8 runs per game, fourth lowest in MLB. Brent Rooker leads the team with a 1.091 OPS.
The left fielder has 11 home runs, 29 RBIs, and 19 runs scored with a slash line of .316/.424/.667. The A’s have a .670 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a 1.031 OPS over 77 at-bats, Rooker also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Arizona is 9-8 on the road in 2023, scoring 5.1 runs per game while allowing 5.5 runs. Oakland has gone 4-18 at home this season, averaging 3.1 runs per game while surrendering 6.8. In the last 10 meetings at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum, Oakland is 8-2 with an average scoreline of 3.8-2.2.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Diamondbacks are second in the NL West, three games behind the division-leading Dodgers. The Athletics are fifth in the AL West, 16 games behind the Rangers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Arizona DBacks (-200)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
