Ryne Nelson is lined up to make his first start of the season as the Arizona Diamondbacks (-120) face off against the San Diego Padres (+100) at Petco Park on Monday for the opener of a three-game series. The early total was set at 8 (O: -110 | U: -110).The Diamondbacks (64-69) are kicking off a six-game road trip after closing out a productive seven-game homestand (5-2). They won three out of four in their last series against the Brewers, taking the finale 5-1 on Sunday at Chase Field. Daulton Varsho was 2 for 4 with a solo home run. Jake McCarthy added a home run and three RBIs. The Padres (74-61) are back home for a six-game homestand after returning from a successful nine-game road trip (6-3). They lost two of three against the Dodgers in their last series, dropping the finale 9-4 on Sunday at Dodger Stadium. Juan Soto went 2 for 3 with one run.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The Padres have won nine of 12 in the season series between the NL West rivals, although they dropped a close one 3-1 in their last meeting on July 17 at Petco Park. Starter Merrill Kelly went six innings to get the win, allowing one run on six hits, and Mark Melancon picked up his 13th save with a scoreless ninth.
ON THE MOUND
Nelson is set to get the start for Arizona, his season debut. Southpaw Blake Snell (6-7, 4.24 ERA) is on the mound for San Diego. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Diamondbacks. Snell made four appearances against the Diamondbacks in 2021, all as the starter, striking out 37 and walking nine over 23.2 innings (2-0, 0.76).In his last start on Tuesday, Snell got the win on the road against the Giants. He threw six scoreless innings and gave up four hits, striking out eight and walking three in the 4-3 victory.
AT THE PLATE
The Arizona offense is averaging 4.4 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .232/.310/.389. Christian Walker leads the team in OPS at .813. The first baseman is slashing .235/.332/.481 with 31 home runs, 75 RBIs, and 71 runs over 131 games. Against left-handed pitchers like Snell this season, the D-backs have a .684 OPS. Walker also is the team’s most productive hitter against left-handers with a .928 OPS in 102 at-bats. San Diego is slashing .241/.321/.380 for the season and averaging 4.4 runs per game. Manny Machado leads the team with a .915 OPS. The third baseman has 26 home runs, 88 RBIs, and 85 runs scored with a slash line of .305/.373/.543. The Padres have a .703 OPS against righties in 2022. With a .962 OPS over 265 at-bats, Soto has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Arizona is on a three-game winning streak in road games, bringing their record to 27-35 in 2022. The D-backs have scored 4.2 runs per game away from home, while allowing 4.6 runs. San Diego has gone 35-28 at home this season, averaging 3.8 runs per game while surrendering 3.7. In the last 10 games between the teams at Petco Park, San Diego is 8-2 with an average scoreline of 4.5-3.0.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Diamondbacks are fourth in the NL West, 28 games behind the division-leading Dodgers. They are sixth in the Wild Card race, eight games out of third. The Padres are second in the NL West, 19 games behind the Dodgers. They currently occupy one of the Wild Card spots, sitting second.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
San Diego Padres (-250)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
