Free MLB Picks Today: Texas Rangers vs Arizona Diamondbacks 5/2/23

The Texas Rangers (17-11) and their high-scoring lineup are set to host the Arizona Diamondbacks (16-13) and Zac Gallen, one of this season’s toughest pitchers, at Globe Life Field on Tuesday to open a two-game Interleague series.

The Diamondbacks won two out of three in their last series against the Rockies, dropping the finale 12-4 on Sunday at Coors Field. Evan Longoria was 1 for 2 with a solo home run. Dominic Fletcher added a double and one run.

The Rangers are in the midst of a six-game homestand. They won three of four against the Yankees in their last series, taking the finale 15-2 on Sunday at Globe Life Field. Jonah Heim went 3 for 4 with a home run and two doubles.

He scored two runs and had three RBIs. Josh Jung added a home run and a double. He scored three runs and had five RBIs.The teams are meeting for the first time since September 8, 2021, when the Rangers finished off a two-game series sweep with an 8-5 victory at Chase Field.

ON THE MOUND

Gallen (4-1, 2.15 ERA) is slated to start for Arizona. The righty leads the NL in strikeouts (51) and is tied for second in wins. Gallen threw 6.1 scoreless innings in his last start, a 2-0 road win over the Royals on Wednesday. He got the win, yielding four hits while striking out 12.

For Texas, righty Jon Gray (1-1, 3.91 ERA) gets the start. In his last start on Wednesday, Gray took a no-decision on the road against the Reds. He threw six innings and gave up three runs on four hits, striking out two and walking two in the 5-3 loss.

AT THE PLATE

The Arizona offense is averaging 5.0 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .265/.316/.422. Corbin Carroll leads the team in OPS at .910.

The right fielder is slashing .309/.374/.536 with four home runs, nine RBIs, and 19 runs over 28 games. Against right-handed pitchers like Gray this season, the D-backs have a .748 OPS.

Carroll also is the team’s most productive hitter against right-handers with a .908 OPS in 68 at-bats. Texas is slashing .259/.339/.444 for the season and averaging 6.4 runs per game, second best in the league. Four Rangers hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Heim (.978).

The first baseman has five home runs, 22 RBIs, and 16 runs scored with a slash line of .303/.386/.592. The Rangers have a .788 OPS against right-handers in 2023, fourth highest in MLB. With a .921 OPS over 82 at-bats, Marcus Semien has been their best hitter against right-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Arizona is 8-7 on the road in 2023, scoring 4.7 runs per game while allowing 5.3 runs. Texas has won three in a row in front of their home fans.

The Rangers are 11-5 at home this season, averaging 6.7 runs per game while surrendering 3.6. In four games between the teams at Globe Life Field, each club has won two with an average scoreline of 3.8-3.8.