Diamondbacks ML (-120)
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- 2023 All Star pitcher Zac Gallen has given up three or fewer runs in six of his last seven starts for the Diamondbacks. In addition, he threw six scoreless innings in a 3-0 win over the Padres last Saturday.
- The Pittsburgh Pirates are 0-2 in games with veteran pitcher Rich Hill taking the mound. Hill has given up nine earned runs and 11 hits in just 6.1 innings since joining the team on August 1.
- San Diego has not performed well against right-handed starting pitchers in 2023. They have won just ~43% of such games and hold a miserable .231 batting average against right-handers.
The Arizona Diamondbacks will visit the San Diego Padres on Thursday night in the first of a four-game series between the teams. Zac Gallen (12-5) will take the mound for the Diamondbacks, who won two of three at home against San Diego last weekend. Meanwhile, Rich Hill (7-12) gets the starting nod for the Padres. Now, let’s take a closer look at this Diamondbacks vs Padres matchup and make our best MLB betting picks for this NL West showdown.
Diamondbacks vs Padres Betting Pick
Diamondbacks vs Padres: Diamondbacks ML (-120)
Why Bet on the Diamondbacks To Win:
✅ Zac Gallen has been impressive all season long. He currently boasts a 3.24 ERA on the season and ranks in the top 10 in the league among pitchers in wins, strikeouts, WHIP, and WAR. Gallen also threw six scoreless innings with eight strikeouts and just one walk in a 3-0 win over the Padres on August 12.
✅ Meanwhile, the Padres acquired Rich Hill from the Pirates on August 1, and they have lost both of the veteran’s two starts with the team. Hill has a 5.17 ERA on the season and has given up seven or more hits in five of his last seven appearances this season.
✅ The San Diego Padres have struggled against right-handed pitchers throughout the regular season. The team is just 35-46 when facing a right-handed starting pitcher, and they are hitting just .231 on the year against righties.
This game will be played at Petco Park at 9:40 PM ET on August 17, 2023.
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks hold a 61-60 record on the season. They currently sit in third place in the NL West and are 12.5 games back of the Los Angeles Dodgers for the top spot in their division. However, they trail the Cincinnati Reds and Miami Marlins by just 1.5 games for the National League’s third and final Wild Card spot. Arizona will now look to make a push to avoid missing the postseason for a sixth consecutive season.
As a whole, the Diamondbacks’ pitching staff has not performed well throughout the 2023 regular season. They currently rank in the bottom 10 in the league in hits allowed, opponent batting average, ERA, and strikeouts. However, starting pitchers Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly have been the lone bright spots for the team. Gallen and Kelly both rank among the MLB’s top 15 pitchers when it comes to quality starts, ERA, and WAR.
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres, on the other hand, enter this divisional showdown below .500 on the year. They have a 58-63 record and sit in fourth place in the NL West. They are coming off an impressive series win at home against the Baltimore Orioles; however, they are still 4.5 games back of the Red and Marlins for the National League’s third Wild Card spot.
Unlike the Diamondbacks, the Padres pitching staff has been impressive throughout the year. They currently rank in the top 10 in ERA, opponent batting average, shutouts, and several other major statistical categories. That said, their offense has not quite been able to keep up. The Padres are currently hitting just .240 as a team and have struggled to come up with timely hits all season long.
However, with just six weeks left in the regular season, San Diego has an opportunity to go on a run and secure their spot in the 2023 MLB Playoffs in order to reach the postseason for the third time over the last four seasons.
