San Diego at Arizona MLB Prediction & Betting Pick

Posted by Michael Hunt on Wednesday,April 26, 2017 11:04, EDT in

It’s the conclusion of an NL West series in the desert on Thursday evening as resurgent Arizona hosts slumping San Diego. This is the type of series that the Snakes need to dominate if they have legitimate playoff hopes, and they will be MLB betting favorites here.

San Diego at Arizona MLB Prediction & Betting Pick

When: Thursday, April 27, 9:40 PM ET
Where: Chase Field, Phoenix
Probable pitchers (away/home): Jered Weaver/Robbie Ray
TV: MLB Extra Innings
Stream: MLB.tv
Radio: San Diego / Arizona
Opening MLB Lines: Diamondbacks favored by TBA

Why Bet On San Diego?

The Padres have placed outfielder Travis Jankowski on the 10-day DL with a right foot bone bruise. Manager Andy Green said Jankowski tried to play through the injury after fouling a ball off his foot in Atlanta on April 14. Green said Jankowski would be in a walking boot for a few days and was uncertain how long the outfielder would be sidelined. Jankowski, known for his speed and defense, was hitting .160 while playing in 17 games. The Padres recalled outfielder Jabari Blash from Triple-A El Paso to take Jankowski’s roster spot.

Padres catcher Austin Hedges started this season 0-for- 24 but is hitting now. On Monday night in Arizona, Hedges hit his sixth home run in the span of his last eight starts. And Hedges is 11-for- 36 (.305) since that 0-for- 24 start, with two doubles and six homers for 13 of his RBIs. His on-base percentage during the run is .333 and his slugging percentage is .861 for a OPS of 1.194. He has raised his season batting average to .183 and his slugging percentage to .517.

Wil Myers has hit in 11 straight road games after going hitless in the season opener at Dodger Stadium. That is one game shy of Myers’ longest road hitting streak of 12 games set in 2013. Myers is hitting .375 (18-for- 48) on the road with four doubles, two triples and three homers for 10 RBIs.

It’s soft-tossing Jered Weaver (0-1, 3.91) on the mound here. Oddly enough, Weaver has posted the same line for three straight games. He’s pitched six innings and allowed two earned runs in each. All 10 earned runs Weaver has given up this season have come via the seven home runs he’s allowed. It’s his first NL start ever against Arizona.

Why Bet On Arizona?

The Diamondbacks could be without No. 2 pitcher Shelby Miller for the rest of the season. Miller is awaiting a second opinion on his ailing right elbow from Dr. Neal ElAttrache in Los Angeles. Miller went on the disabled list Monday with what the Diamondbacks are calling right elbow inflammation for now.

However, manager Torey Lovullo wouldn’t comment when asked if there was anything wrong with Miller’s ligament, which could be an ominous sign. Archie Bradley is an option to take Miller’s spot in the rotation, although the D’Backs are considering keeping him in the bullpen given his success there.

Bradley has said admitted he’d love to take his success in the bullpen — Bradley has a 0.79 ERA and has allowed seven hits, one earned run, three balls and 12 strikeouts in 11.1 innings — and put it on display for more than two or three innings. Bradley added that his pitch mix and mindset wouldn’t change much. For the time being, Arizona recalled reliever Silvino Bracho just to give the team an extra arm.

It’s lefty Robbie Ray here. Ray moved to 2-0 on the season during Saturday’s 11-5 victory over the Dodgers, surrendering five runs on nine hits and two walks while striking out six over 5.1 innings. The five earned runs were the most Ray has conceded in any of his four starts this season, but with the Diamondbacks offense providing some ample run support, the lefty had plenty of room for error. Ray has compiled a 3.42 ERA and 30 strikeouts over 23.2 innings this season, but will likely need to rein in the walks (14) in order to make that ERA sustainable over the course of a full season. This will be Ray’s first start this year vs. San Diego.

San Diego at Arizona MLB Betting Pick: Arizona Diamondbacks

The Padres can’t hit a lick and Ray was a solid enough 1-1 with a 4.63 ERA against them last year.