Runs may be hard to come by in this one as Yovani Gallardo (7-6, 2.56 ERA) and the Texas Rangers (41-42) meet Robbie Ray (2-4, 2.55 ERA) and the Arizona Diamondbacks (40-42) in the first of a two-game series at Globe Life Park in Arlington. The game starts at 8:05 p.m. ET on Tuesday, Jul. 7 and will air on FSN-AZ and FSN-SW.
Gallardo is 7-1 with a 2.12 ERA against the Diamondbacks in his career, but is up against a solid Arizona offense that’s hitting .264 on the year. Prince Fielder (.347, 41 Rs, 13 HRs, 50 RBIs) played well again Sunday, going 2 for 5 with one run, one home run, and one RBI. In his pitching opportunities against the Rangers, Ray is 0-1 with an 18.90 ERA, one strike out and four walks. Paul Goldschmidt (.348, 58 Rs, 20 HRs, 67 RBIs, 15 SBs) went 1 for 4 Sunday with one run and one RBI.
The odds are even for this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable at the moment. The Rangers have a 4-2 record SU against the National League. Below average play has been the norm lately for the Texas pitchers. The Rangers have given up an average of 5.9 runs to opponents in their last 10 games, above their season average of 4.5 runs per game.
When playing AL opponents, the Diamondbacks have a 3-3 record SU. They sport the top-ranked offense in the NL, averaging 4.6 runs per game. The top hitting team in the NL are the Diamondbacks, who average 9.2 hits per game. Arizona is a terror on the base paths, ranking second in the MLB with 74 stolen bases.
The Rangers will take on a right-hander (Ray) in this game and have a 27-24 record against right-handed starting pitchers this season. Taking the hill against the Diamondbacks will be the right-hander Gallardo. They sport a 31-30 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – ARI
Notes
The Rangers managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Diamondbacks who are coming in with a 19-11 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Rangers are 8-34. The Diamondbacks have a 9-28 record when opponents outhit them.
Arizona ranks in the top half of the league at 13th when it comes to home runs, hitting 75 this season. Texas ranks in the top 10 at eighth with 90.
Ranking first in hits, Arizona has earned 9.21 per game this season. Texas ranks eighth with 8.47 hits.
Ranking 16th, Texas is in the bottom half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.715). Arizona ranks in the top 10 at 10th with an OPS of .727.
The Diamondbacks are 19-35 when they allow at least one home run. The Rangers perform similarly when they allow one or more homers with a 20-33 record.
