The Arizona Diamondbacks (45-46) will take on the San Diego Padres (48-42) in the second game of their four-game series on Tuesday, with the first pitch scheduled for 9:40 p.m. ET at Petco Park. As they gear up for the matchup, let’s take a closer look at the implications of their recent performances and what to expect.
The Diamondbacks currently hold a 3-1 advantage in their season series against the Padres, following their recent victory on Monday, where they clinched a 6-3 win, driven by a solid performance from right-handed pitcher Zac Gallen. Meanwhile, 1B Josh Naylor has been making waves, hitting his 11th homer of the season and boasting an impressive batting average of .299 with 58 RBIs in 311 at-bats.
On the flip side, the Padres are coming off a fluctuating series of results over their last six games, alternating between victories and losses. Despite their recent loss on Monday, 3B Manny Machado shone bright, achieving his milestone of 2,000 career hits and recording three hits, which included his 15th home run of the season. The Padres maintain a strong home record of 27-16, which adds to their competitive edge.
As for the starting pitchers, the Diamondbacks will send RHP Merrill Kelly (7-4, 3.55 ERA) to the mound, while the Padres will feature RHP Nick Pivetta (9-2, 3.25 ERA). Kelly’s recent performances have been inconsistent, but he has had success against the Padres historically with a career ERA of 3.57 in more than 90 innings pitched. Conversely, Pivetta has been in great form, recently achieving a win in his last start while allowing just one earned run over the last 13 innings pitched.
With the game’s odds showing the Diamondbacks at +110 and the Padres at -130, the stakes are high for both teams. Predictions lean toward a narrow Padres victory, estimating a final score of Padres 4, Diamondbacks 3, particularly given Pivetta’s form and Kelly’s tendency to give away walks. Furthermore, an interesting prop bet to consider would be for Fernando Tatis Jr. to exceed 1.5 hits, runs, or RBIs, a feat he has successfully accomplished in five of his last six games.
As these two teams battle it out, fans can expect an engaging encounter as they aim to solidify their standings in a competitive division. The continued rivalry and the stakes involved make for an exciting game that baseball enthusiasts will not want to miss.