In an interleague series between two teams trying to hang on the edges of the Wild Card race heading into the All-Star break, the Diamondbacks roll into Anaheim to take on the Halos. Both teams have struggled over the past few series. The Angels are 45-48, while the DBacks are 46-48, but both are within a handful of games of a Wild Card spot. Which team can get some momentum haded into the break? Below, I’ve laid out my preview, prediction, and best bet for Friday’s matchup between the Diamondbacks and Angels.
The Angels are slight favorites (-115) over the Diamondbacks, with the over/under set at nine runs. Let’s break down which side has the edge on DraftKings Sportsbook entering tonight’s contest.
Diamondbacks vs. Angels prediction, preview
The starting pitching matchup favors the Diamondbacks since Ryne Nelson has been locked in lately, and Tyler Anderson has been inconsistent at times this season and very hittable lately. Lefties have given the Dbacks some trouble at times this season, but they’ve been better on that side of the split lately.
I highlighted Nelson to record a win as one of my top starting pitcher props of the day, since he has been so effective since taking over Corbin Burnes’ (elbow) spot in the rotation. Nelson has allowed two runs or fewer in 13 of his last 14 games overall, and in eight of his last nine starts.
In his last five games, Nelson has impressed by going 3-0 with a 1.52 ERA, 2.92 FIP, and a sterling 0.78 WHIP. The Angels lineup has been a little better since getting healthy, but they still strike out quite a bit and rank in the lower half of the league in runs scored, wOBA, and wRC+.
Anderson has been trending the other way, going 0-5 in his last nine starts with a 5.44 ERA, 4.86 FIP, and 1.80 WHIP.
Lefties have actually hit pretty well against him in limited opportunities this season, with a .315 batting average, seven homers and a .418 wOBA.
One player to specifically watch in the matchup is the Diamondbacks’ Ketel Marte, who is 13-for-30 (.433) against Anderson in his career with six doubles, four homers and a 1.348 OPS. Marte has hit .310 with 15 homers and a .439 wOBA against lefties on the year and is hitting .320 with seven doubles, seven homers and a 46.7% hard-hit hard hit rate over his last 19 games.
Diamondbacks vs. Angels pick, best bet
Best Bet: Ketel Marte 3+ Total Bases (+140)
Marte has had so much success in this specific matchup and hit so many extra-base hits lately that he can get this all at once with a home run, or pick up a few hits to get to three total bases. With multiple paths to success, I’m willing to push this past just his over 1.5 at -125 and go to three total bases in the matchup.
