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Thursday MLB preview: Diamondbacks at Mets, Braves at Phillies
September 12th, 2019
Arizona Diamondbacks (75-71) at New York Mets (75-70), 1:10 p.m. ET
Marcus Stroman (7-13, 3.42 ERA) has been a disappointment in his first few starts for the Mets, and he could struggle yet again Thursday afternoon against the Diamondbacks.
Stroman has made four starts at Citi Field so far and is 0-2 with a 5.85 ERA and .345 opponent batting average. Arizona is eighth in the majors in runs per game on the road this season at 5.14. Arizona outfielder Adam Jones is 9-for-25 against Stroman, dating back to their days as AL East rivals, so look for him to deliver at the dish. Outfielder Ketel Marte—who is batting .421 in his last 15 games, with five home runs and 15 RBIs—should also contribute on offense.
Arizona's Alex Young (7-3, 3.38 ERA) is 5-1 with a 2.29 ERA in seven outings on the road during his rookie season (35 1/3 innings). Opponents are batting just .194 against him away from Chase Field. Young's bullpen should help him secure the win, as it is eighth in ERA over the last 14 days (3.77). By contrast the Mets' relief corps is last in ERA in the same period (6.93).
Stroman has made four starts at Citi Field so far and is 0-2 with a 5.85 ERA and .345 opponent batting average. Arizona is eighth in the majors in runs per game on the road this season at 5.14. Arizona outfielder Adam Jones is 9-for-25 against Stroman, dating back to their days as AL East rivals, so look for him to deliver at the dish. Outfielder Ketel Marte—who is batting .421 in his last 15 games, with five home runs and 15 RBIs—should also contribute on offense.
Arizona's Alex Young (7-3, 3.38 ERA) is 5-1 with a 2.29 ERA in seven outings on the road during his rookie season (35 1/3 innings). Opponents are batting just .194 against him away from Chase Field. Young's bullpen should help him secure the win, as it is eighth in ERA over the last 14 days (3.77). By contrast the Mets' relief corps is last in ERA in the same period (6.93).
MLB free play: Diamondbacks moneyline
Atlanta Braves (91-56) at Philadelphia Phillies (75-70), 7:15 p.m. ET, FOX
The Braves should get a solid start from Julio Teheran (10-8, 3.31 ERA), while their offense will care of business against the Phillies' Drew Smyly (4-6, 6.20 ERA) on Thursday night at Citizens Bank Park.
Teheran is 5-2 with a 2.59 ERA and .214 opponent batting average in 11 starts since the All-Star break. His road WHIP (1.239) this year is lower than his home WHIP (1.346), so pitching in Philadelphia's hitter friendly complex shouldn't trouble Teheran too much.
The slumping Smyly has yet to face Atlanta this season, but Braves third baseman Josh Donaldson is 9-for-19 with three home runs against the southpaw from Arkansas. Smyly has never faced second baseman Ozzie Albies (.333, with two homers in his last seven games) or first baseman Freddie Freeman (.904 OPS last seven games) before.
Teheran is 5-2 with a 2.59 ERA and .214 opponent batting average in 11 starts since the All-Star break. His road WHIP (1.239) this year is lower than his home WHIP (1.346), so pitching in Philadelphia's hitter friendly complex shouldn't trouble Teheran too much.
The slumping Smyly has yet to face Atlanta this season, but Braves third baseman Josh Donaldson is 9-for-19 with three home runs against the southpaw from Arkansas. Smyly has never faced second baseman Ozzie Albies (.333, with two homers in his last seven games) or first baseman Freddie Freeman (.904 OPS last seven games) before.
MLB free play: Braves moneyline
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