Brandon Morrow (2-0, 2.73 ERA) takes the mound for the San Diego Padres (15-14) as they meet Rubby De La Rosa (2-2, 5.40 ERA) and the Arizona Diamondbacks (12-14) in the first of a four-game series at Chase Field. The game starts at 9:40 p.m. ET on Thursday, May. 7 and will air on FSN-SD and FSN-AZ.
De La Rosa is 1-0 with a 2.25 ERA against the Padres in his career, but faces a solid San Diego offense that’s hitting .255 on the year. Paul Goldschmidt (.340, 20 Rs, 7 HRs, 24 RBIs, 6 SBs) played well again yesterday, going 2 for 5 with one run, one home run, two RBIs, and one stolen base. In his career against the Diamondbacks, Morrow is 0-1 with a 6.55 ERA. He gets a strong Arizona offense that’s batting .261. Yonder Alonso (.341, 11 Rs, 1 HR, 10 RBIs, 2 SBs) has been hitting the ball well, going 2 for 4 yesterday with two runs and one RBI.
Arizona is a slight underdog (-103) and the Over/Under (O/U) is nine runs. The Diamondbacks have a losing record of 6-11 when playing as the underdog and an overall money line of -250. With a 0-6 record as the underdog, they have had a tough time over their last 10 games. Within their division, Arizona’s offense has been playing lights out, averaging 4.7 runs per game, well over their season average of 4.2. They have been a terror on the base paths, ranking fifth in all of baseball with 24 steals.
Moving on to the opposing team, the Padres come into this game in an interesting position. They have a negative money line (-116) but have won more than 60 percent of games played as the favorite (9-6). Against fellow NL West members, they are 12-10 SU and 9-3 as the favorite. The last 10 games have really brought the worst out of the San Diego pitchers. They allowed 6.1 runs per game during that span, which is higher than their season average of 4.5.
The Padres are 2-1 against the Diamondbacks this season. The Diamondbacks will take on a right-hander (Morrow) in this game and have a 7-10 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. Taking the hill against the Padres will be the right-hander De La Rosa. They sport an 8-11 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – SD, O/U – Over
Notes
San Diego has won 57% (8-6) of its games when leading after 7 innings. However, Arizona has won 73% (8-3) of its games when taking a late lead.
The Diamondbacks are coming into this game after allowing one walk during their last outing. The Padres have a 3-7 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Padres are 1-12. The Diamondbacks have a 2-10 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 22nd in home runs, Arizona has hit 19 this season. San Diego ranks 10th with 26 home runs.
Ranking eighth, San Diego is in the top 10 of the league in hits, notching 8.61 per game. Arizona ranks in the top five at fourth with 8.71.
Arizona and San Diego both rank in the top half of the league for their on-base plus slugging percentage. Arizona sits at 14th with an OPS of .706 and San Diego ranks 13th with an OPS of .708.
When the Padres allow at least one home run, they are 9-11. When the Diamondbacks allow one or more homers, they have a 6-10 record.
