In the first of a four-game series between the Arizona Diamondbacks (51-73) and the Atlanta Braves (45-79) at Chase Field, Zack Godley (4-2, 4.85 ERA) and Mike Foltynewicz (6-5, 4.45 ERA) take the mound. The game gets underway at 9:40 p.m. ET on Monday, Aug. 22 and will air on FSAZ and FSSE.
In his most recent outing, Godley pitched 7.1 innings, allowing two runs, striking out four and walking two in a 13-5 victory over the Mets. Paul Goldschmidt (.300, 79 Rs, 18 HRs, 74 RBIs, 19 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday. The Braves were unsuccessful the last time Foltynewicz pitched. He had a good outing, pitching 5.0 innings, giving up two runs, striking out seven and walking three in a 10-3 loss to the Twins. Matt Kemp (.260, 62 Rs, 25 HRs, 78 RBIs) has been hitting the ball well, going 2 for 5 yesterday with one run, one home run, and one RBI.
Arizona is a -168 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at nine runs. When playing as the favorite, the Diamondbacks have a 25-25 record and overall money line at -2,063. They have done well as the favorite (3-1), but performed poorly SU (3-7) over their last 10 games. The Diamondbacks are a nightmare on the bases for opponents with 100 steals, one of the highest totals in baseball. Arizona’s pitching staff has fallen apart in the past 10 games. Its average runs allowed per game rose to 7.5 during that span, compared to its 5.6 season average.
Across the field, the Braves have a subpar record of 42-68 when they are the underdog and are -959 overall with the money line. Over the past 10 matchups, the team is 2-8 SU and has played poorly as the underdog with a 2-7 record. Atlanta has been playing better lately, averaging 4.7 runs per game, more than their season average of 3.6. Atlanta’s pitching staff has allowed an average of 7.8 runs per game during the last 10 games, higher than their season average of 4.9.
So far this season, the Diamondbacks are 3-0 against the Braves. This game will feature Foltynewicz (RHP) on the mound against the Diamondbacks, who have a 15-33 home and 34-57 overall record when they take on a right-handed starter. The right-handed Godley will take the mound against the Braves, who have a 32-52 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – ARI, O/U – Under
Notes
When leading after seven innings, Arizona is 24-38, while Atlanta is 15-29.
The Braves are coming off of a hot pitching game where they recorded 12 strikeouts. The Diamondbacks have a record of 11-15 when they are struck out that many times or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Braves are 33-19. The Diamondbacks have a 38-15 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 30th, Atlanta sits at the bottom of the league in runs, scoring 451 this season. Arizona ranks in the top half at 14th with 561.
Ranking 22nd, Arizona is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 351 this season. Atlanta ranks in the bottom half at 16th with 363.
The Diamondbacks are 42-40 in games where they hit one or more home runs. The Braves are 26-30 when they hit at least one homer.
