Brandon Pfaadt is set to make his first start of the season as the Arizona Diamondbacks (16-14) face off against the Texas Rangers (18-11) at Globe Life Field on Wednesday with the home team eyeing a sweep of the two-game Interleague series.
The Rangers took Tuesday’s series opener 6-4, their fourth straight victory overall. Reliever Brock Burke threw 1.1 scoreless innings to get the win, and Will Smith threw 1.1 scoreless innings to earn his fourth save.
Ezequiel Duran’s on-base streak is up to 13 games as he went 3 for 4 with a home run and a double in the win. He scored two runs and drove in two. Marcus Semien added a double, one run, and one RBI. Ketel Marte was 2 for 3 with a home run and two RBIs for the Diamondbacks.
ON THE MOUND
Pfaadt is slated for the start for Arizona, his season debut. LHP Andrew Heaney (2-2, 4.38 ERA) takes the mound for Texas. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Diamondbacks. In his last start on Thursday, Heaney took the loss at home against the Yankees. He threw six innings and gave up three runs on four hits, striking out six and walking one in the 4-2 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Arizona has averaged 6.0 runs a game, up from their season average of 5.0, while slashing better across the board (.281/.342/.444). Against southpaws like Heaney this season, the D-backs have a .710 OPS. Corbin Carroll is the team’s strongest hitter against left-handers with a .917 OPS in 29 at-bats.
Texas is averaging only 6.0 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 6.3 for the season. The Rangers have a .789 OPS against right-handers in 2023, fifth highest in MLB. With a .946 OPS over 85 at-bats, Semien has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Arizona is 8-8 away from Chase Field in 2023, scoring 4.6 runs per game while allowing 5.4 runs. Texas has won four in a row in front of their home fans.
The Rangers are 12-5 at home this season, averaging 6.6 runs per game while surrendering 3.6. In five games at Globe Life Field between the teams, Texas is 3-2 with an average scoreline of 4.2-3.8.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Rangers lead the AL West by two games over the Astros. The Diamondbacks are second in the NL West, one games behind the Dodgers.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Texas Rangers (-125)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
