Free MLB Picks Today: Pittsburgh Pirates vs Arizona Diamondbacks 5/19/23

The Arizona Diamondbacks (25-19) take one of the most productive lineups in the National League on the road to face the Pittsburgh Pirates (23-20) at PNC Park on Friday for the opener of a three-game series.

The Diamondbacks are in the midst of a nine-game road trip. They won two out of three in their last series against the Athletics, taking the finale 5-3 on Wednesday at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. Dominic Fletcher was 1 for 3 with a double and one run.

Ketel Marte added one RBI on two hits. The Pirates are back home for a six-game homestand. They split their last series against the Tigers, taking the finale 8-0 on Wednesday at Comerica Park.

Rodolfo Castro went 2 for 4 with a home run, two runs, and two RBIs. Bryan Reynolds went 3 for 5 with a double and two runs.The teams are meeting for the first time this season.

Last season, the Diamondbacks won four of the seven games between the teams, including three out of four in their most recent meeting at Chase Field in August.

ON THE MOUND

Zac Gallen (6-1, 2.35 ERA) is in line to get the start for Arizona. The RHP is tied for the NL lead in wins and is second in strikeouts (70) and third in ERA. Gallen allowed two runs over 7.2 innings in his last start, a 7-2 road win over the Giants on Saturday.

He got the win, scattering five hits while striking out six and walking two. Over two starts against the Pirates in 2022, Gallen was 1-1 with a 1.38 ERA over 13 innings. He had 12 strikeouts and five walks.

Righty Johan Oviedo (2-3, 5.14 ERA) gets the ball for Pittsburgh. In his last start on May 12, Oviedo took a no-decision on the road against the Orioles. He threw five innings and gave up one run on four hits, striking out three and walking five in the 6-3 defeat.

AT THE PLATE

The Arizona offense is averaging 5.2 runs per game for the season, third best in the NL, with a slash line of .270/.333/.440. Four Diamondbacks hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (.924). The left fielder is slashing .310/.373/.552 with seven home runs, 25 RBIs, and 26 runs over 39 games.

Against righties like Oviedo this season, the D-backs have a .789 OPS, fourth highest in MLB. Gurriel Jr. also is the team’s strongest hitter against right-handers with a .970 OPS in 93 at-bats. Pittsburgh is slashing .242/.322/.399 for the season and averaging 4.3 runs per game.

Connor Joe leads the team with an .883 OPS. The left fielder has five home runs, 14 RBIs, and 21 runs scored with a slash line of .267/.358/.525. Pittsburgh is averaging only 3.0 runs per game in the last five with their slash line falling across the board (.213/.265/.278).

The Bucs have a .693 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .986 OPS over 78 at-bats, Jack Suwinski has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Arizona is 11-9 away from home in 2023, scoring 5.2 runs per game while allowing 5.4 runs. Pittsburgh has gone 10-9 at their home ballpark this season, averaging 3.7 runs per game while surrendering 4.8. Arizona is 6-4 in the last 10 games at PNC Park between the teams with an average scoreline of 5.1-3.0.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Diamondbacks are second in the NL West, three games behind the division-leading Dodgers. The Pirates are second in the NL Central, one games behind the Brewers.