Jeremy Hellickson (4-4, 5.10 ERA) and Andrew Cashner (2-8, 4.24 ERA) start in the last of a three-game series between the Arizona Diamondbacks (33-35) and the San Diego Padres (34-37) at Chase Field. The Padres won the last game 8-1 and the series is currently tied 1-1. Action begins at 4:10 p.m. ET on Sunday, Jun. 21 and can be seen on FSN-SD and FSN-AZ.
Hellickson pitched 6.0 innings in his most recent start, surrendering two runs, striking out six and walking one in a 4-1 defeat to the Angels. Paul Goldschmidt (.358, 50 Rs, 19 HRs, 55 RBIs, 11 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday. Cashner is 3-4 with a 3.03 ERA against the Diamondbacks in his career. He is up against a quality Arizona offense that’s batting .262. Wil Myers (.277, 30 Rs, 5 HRs, 19 RBIs, 3 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday.
The odds for Arizona and San Diego are even, while the Over/Under (O/U) is sitting at eight runs. Within its division, Arizona has a record of 17-15 SU. The Diamondbacks have seen a decline in scoring as of late, averaging 3.2 runs during the last 10 games compared to their season average of 4.5 runs per game. The Diamondbacks have no trouble scoring as they lead the NL in offense with 4.5 runs per game. The Diamondbacks lead the NL in hits with an impressive 9.3 per game. Arizona is one of the best in the MLB in terms of steals, swiping 60 bases. Arizona’s pitching staff has been doing better against opposing offenses during the last 10 games, only allowing an average of 3.0 runs per game, well under their season average of 4.4.
The Padres are 17-17 against NL West foes. Offensively, they average four runs per game on the road, which is fourth in the NL. San Diego is excellent at drawing walks with 3.0 per road game, ranking fourth in the NL. The Padres average 4.6 runs allowed per game, but does better whenever another team from the NL West is on the schedule. They bring that runs allowed average down to 3.7 against division foes. The Padres have established a reputation of overwhelming hitters with an NL-best 7.9 strikeouts per road game, making them one of the top five teams in the league.
The Padres lead the season series, 5-4. The Diamondbacks have a 25-25 record against right-handed starting pitchers on the year, which is what they’ll be facing when Cashner takes the mound. Hellickson (RHP) will be on the hill against the Padres, who have a 25-30 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – ARI, O/U – Over
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, Arizona is 13-7, while San Diego is 20-16.
Having scored one run in their last game, the Diamondbacks are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Padres have a 9-1 record in games where opponents scored that many runs or fewer.
When they are outhit, the Padres are 6-29. The Diamondbacks have an 8-24 record when opponents outhit them.
Both falling in the bottom half of the league based on total home runs this season, Arizona ranks 16th with 61 homers and San Diego is 19th with 60.
Ranking first in hits, Arizona has earned 9.28 per game this season. San Diego ranks 11th with 8.34 hits.
Ranking 26th, San Diego is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.673). Arizona ranks in the top half at 12th with an OPS of .720.
When the Padres allow at least one home run, they are 19-27. When the Diamondbacks allow one or more homers, they have a 15-30 record.
