MLB Predictions: Padres vs D-backs Lines
The Arizona Diamondbacks will take on the San Diego Padres at Chase Field on Monday evening in the first game of a three-game set. The Diamondbacks are coming off a 4-2 loss against the Mets, while the Padres beat the Cubs on Sunday by a score of 4-3.
San Diego Padres (23-28) at Arizona Diamondbacks (20-32)
Date: Monday, May 26, 2014
Time: 8:10 PM ET
Venue: Chase Field
City: Phoenix Arizona
O/U Odds: 8.5
In Canada? Try Pinnacle Sportsbook
Money Line: Arizona -128, San Diego +118
Pitching Matchup: RH Tyson Ross (5-4, 2.64 ERA) at RH Brandon McCarthy (1-6, 4.67 ERA)
[dfads params=’groups=63740&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
Both teams enter this game having won two of their last three games, and neither side can afford to lose any more games if they hope to stay in contention in what has been an ultra-competitive National League West race this season.
Buy Razor Ray’s MLB Picks in 2014. You won’t regret it!! —–>
The Diamondbacks send out Brandon McCarthy for this outing. His base numbers really don’t tell the whole story of how his season has played out. A closer look shows that he has been much better than the numbers indicate, but has been the victim of some bad luck, sporting a 2.89 xFIP.
[dfads params=’groups=10&limit=1&return_javascript=0′]
His base numbers are going to improve some if he continues his strong play of late. He’s allowed only two earned runs over his last two starts, spanning 14 innings. The problem is, he’s getting very little in the way of run support.
Looking back over his last eight starts, McCarthy has received a total of 14 runs of support. That’s an average of just 1.8 runs per game. He may not need much in that department facing the Padres. McCarthy threw seven shutout innings, allowing only three hits, in his lone start against the Padres this season, which also happens to be his only win of the year.
The Padres will counter with Tyson Ross. Ross has been like clockwork of late. In his last four starts, Ross has thrown seven strong innings each time, allowing just one run in each of those outings.
He’s also backed by a Padres team that often has trouble scoring runs. The under is 16-6-2 in Ross’s last 23 starts overall. He’s handled the Diamondbacks well since joining the Padres. His ERA is below two against them in four starts, with the under going 3-0-1 in those contests.
Both of these teams have trended to the under this season, and with both sides sending strong starting pitchers to the mound, both of whom are in fine form of late, we could be in for a good old fashioned pitchers’ duel in this one. Runs usually aren’t hard to come by at Chase Field, but neither side is swinging the sticks well, which should lead to a low-scoring affair, in which both starters control the tempo.
The under is 13-3 in the Diamondbacks’ last 16 games overall, with the team playing under the number in seven consecutive contests, and the under is 16-6-1 in Ross’s last 23 starts overall.
The play: Under 8.5
