In the last of a three-game series between the Arizona Diamondbacks (10-9) and the Pittsburgh Pirates (9-9) at Chase Field, Robbie Ray (1-0, 1.96 ERA) and Francisco Liriano (1-1, 4.11 ERA) take the mound. The Diamondbacks won the last game 7-1, and the series is currently tied 1-1. The game starts at 4:10 p.m. ET on Sunday, Apr. 24 and will air on FSAZ and RTPT.
In his most recent outing, Ray pitched 6.0 innings, allowing zero runs, striking out eight and walking two in a 3-0 victory over the Giants. Jean Segura (.346, 10 Rs, 3 HRs, 11 RBIs, 3 SBs) went 1 for 5 yesterday. The Pirates were unsuccessful the last time Liriano pitched. He did not do well, pitching 4.1 innings, allowing four runs, striking out four and walking five in a 5-4 loss to the Padres. Gregory Polanco (.295, 12 Rs, 1 HR, 9 RBIs, 2 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday.
Oddsmakers have deemed this game an even matchup and the Over/Under (O/U) is presently unavailable. The Diamondbacks come into the game with the NL’s third-ranked home scoring offense, averaging 5.2 runs per game in their own ballpark. The Diamondbacks rank fifth in the NL in hits with 9.3 per game. They have been a terror on the base paths, ranking second in all of baseball with 15 steals. The most recent 10 game stretch for Arizona’s pitching staff has gone great. Over that span, Arizona’s opponents are averaging 0.0 runs per game, below their season average of 0.0. An area where the Diamondbacks are particularly strong at home is striking batters out, where they average 6.4 K’s per home game.
Pittsburgh has been playing better lately, averaging 0.0 runs per game, more than their season average of 0.0. The top hitting team in the league are the Pirates, who have a .287 batting average. The Pirates have racked up 13 steals on the year, making them one of the most threatening base-running teams in the league. Pittsburgh’s pitching staff has allowed an average of 0.0 runs per game during the last 10 games, lower than their season average of 0.0.
Predictions: SU Winner – ARI
Notes
The Diamondbacks are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Pirates have a 2-2 record when opponents give up two walks or less.
When they are outhit, the Diamondbacks are 0-7. The Pirates have a 1-6 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 27th in home runs, Pittsburgh has hit 11 this season. Arizona ranks fourth with 25 home runs.
Pittsburgh tops the league in hits with 9.83 per game this season. Arizona ranks in the top five with 9.26.
Arizona and Pittsburgh both rank in the top 10 of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. Arizona sits at 10th with an OPS of .770, and Pittsburgh ranks seventh with an OPS of .797.
The Pirates are 5-9 when they allow at least one home run. The Diamondbacks perform similarly when they allow one or more homers with a 3-7 record.
