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Arizona Diamondbacks

The Diamondbacks aren’t getting a whole lot of love heading into the 2019 season. In fairness, it’s hard to be viewed in a positive light with the losses of arguably your three best players. Paul Goldschmidt left via trade and AJ Pollock and Patrick Corbin left via free agency. The Diamondbacks still have a formidable starting rotation and there are some bounce back candidates in the lineup, which means that we should get some opportunities to bet on the Snakes this season.

The Diamondbacks were an 82-80 team that hit the skids at the wrong time last year. Their Pythagorean Win-Loss record pointed more towards an 86-76 team. Arizona finished the season 10-20 over its last 30 games to miss the playoffs badly and finish well off the pace in the NL West. This is an Arizona team that was 40-41 at home, 42-39 on the road, and struggled in one-run games at 20-31.

With a lot of left-handers in the division, the Diamondbacks were 28-30 against southpaw starters. Of the three teams that faced more, two were the Dodgers and Giants. The D-Backs were 54-50 against right-handed starters. They played well enough against .500 or better teams at 42-48, but a 40-32 record against teams with losing records ranked 19th in win percentage.

As a whole, the NL West was an under division. The Diamondbacks fit that mold going 82-74-6 to the under. San Francisco and Colorado slanted very heavily to the under.

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Money Line Spots

The Diamondbacks entered September tied for first place. They finished nine games behind the Dodgers. They spent 125 days in first place and were never under .500. Now the team is in a state of quasi rebuild. The rotation is still strong and there are some hitters with track records that missed most of last season. It’s fair to wonder if people are too down on the Diamondbacks.

At the first, the humidor seemed to help Arizona, as the Snakes darted out to an 11-3 home record. That quickly normalized, so maybe it had nothing to do with the humidor at all. With Robbie Ray, Zack Godley, and Zack Greinke, there should be spots to back this team. It’s a little tough to project the offense right now with Jake Lamb and Steven Souza Jr. coming off of lost seasons, but Wilmer Flores has good projections and those two had great 2017 seasons.

I see the Diamondbacks being a good 1st 5 bet at times this season. The bullpen is iffy. Greg Holland will close at the start, with Archie Bradley in the primary setup role and a bunch of guys after him. I won’t have many full-game Diamondbacks bets, but I believe in the rotation. Luke Weaver and Merrill Kelly are very interesting guys as well. In fact, Arizona was 80-56-26 for the first five innings, which was one of the best marks in baseball last season.

With that in mind, it’s also worth pointing out that the offense, even with Goldschmidt, wasn’t very good. I think we’re looking at 1st 5 money lines and 1st 5 unders.

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Totals Spots

Speaking of unders, let’s examine the humidor a little more. The Diamondbacks posted a .242/.321/.398 slash at home last season. They batted .274/.350/.492 at home in 2017. Is this humidor related? Noise related? Personnel related? As we look at 2018, Goldschmidt led with 342 home plate appearances and was actually awful (by his standards) at home with a .238/.363/.420 slash. He had a .321/.443/.639 slash at home in 2017. The Diamondbacks also had JD Martinez in 2017, who posted a .536 wOBA in 125 home PA.

David Peralta, Nick Ahmed, Ketel Marte, AJ Pollock, and Daniel Descalso were the others with at least 200 home PA lst season. Peralta, Marte, Pollock, and Descalso all posted wRC+ marks of 116 or higher. The most PAs in 2017 went to Goldy, Jake Lamb, Peralta, Brandon Drury, Pollock, and Descalso. Their wRC+ marks ranged from Goldy’s 165 to Pollock’s 108.

I’m not sure I can definitively say it was the humidor or if it was just noise and personnel. Goldschmidt’s big home collapse skews the numbers substantially. The humidor is scientifically proven to cut down distance and exit velocity. The Diamondbacks went from a .449 SLG at home in 2017 to a .394 SLG in 2018. The average exit velocity was the exact same and the average distance was just two feet shorter.

I think we need another season’s worth of data, though I do expect the rotation to perform well and the offense to have its issues, so we may see another round of numbers on the low end.

The pitching numbers did not improve. They were pretty similar overall, with a mild drop in K% and a minor spike in BB%. The Diamondbacks did see an increase from 13.9 percent to 14.2 percent in HR/FB% in the humidor, which is surprising to me. Overall, the Diamondbacks were 41-37-3 to the under at home with an average total of 8.1 runs. The over was 42-34-7 in 2017 with an average total of 9.4 runs.

It looks like the books did adjust to the humidor.

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Individual Players to Watch

Robbie Ray – Robbie Ray is something of an enigma. The left-hander has missed time early in the season each of the last two years and has struggled out of the gate, but has gotten back on track as the season has gone along. Ray had a 3.93 ERA with a 4.31 FIP and a 3.77 xFIP in his 123.2 innings. He had an 80.5 percent LOB% with a 31.4 percent K%, but he also had a 13.3 percent BB% and posted another high HR/FB% at 17.4 percent.

He held opposing batters to a .290 wOBA in the second half over 75.1 innings with a 3.23 ERA. The problem with Ray is that he runs his pitch count up so high with strikeouts and walks that he doesn’t work deep into games. He was also much worse at home, allowing a .452 SLG and 15 of his 19 home runs in 64.2 innings. He only allowed four homers and a .295 SLG on the road in 59 innings. You would think a humidor would benefit him, but it did not.

He’s a good 1st 5 bet, but playing full games is scary, especially because 107 batters hit .301/.393/.677(!!!) the third time through the lineup. That’s when he allowed 11 of his 19 homers.

Zack Godley – Zack Godley posted a 4.74 ERA with a 3.82 FIP and a 3.96 xFIP last season. He’ll be a guy that gets some love in the betting markets with a noticeable ERA/xFIP split and a 67.5 percent LOB%. His K/9 rate was on par with last season, but he had major walk issues and his K% actually fell almost three percent. His BB% bumped from 8.5 percent to 10.2 percent. His BABIP jumped to .324 because he was in the zone less and behind in the count more.

After a first-pitch ball, Godley allowed a .317/.442/.474 slash. In 2017, when he started 1-0, hitters only posted a .219/.346/.338 slash. There was some regression coming in that department, but it hit hard and played a big role. His first-pitch strike percentage was pretty similar over both seasons, so hopefully he’ll run better in that spot this year. League average, for what it’s worth, after a first-pitch ball was .262/.379/.444.

Arizona Diamondbacks 2019 MLB Season Betting Tips

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Don't miss out on the NCAA showdown between the Warriors and River Hawks. The game is starting at 6:00 ET on ESPN+, and it's hosted by the River Hawks at Costello Athletic Center in Lowell, MA. Get ready to place your bets! This non-conference matchup has an over/under of 137.5 points, and Massachusetts-Lowell is favored by -7.5 vs. Merrimack College.<h3>MERRIMACK COLLEGE WARRIORS VS MASSACHUSETTS-LOWELL RIVER HAWKS BETTING PICK</h3>The Pick: Massachusetts-Lowell River Hawks -7.5This game will be played at Costello Athletic Center at 6:00 ET on Monday, November 25th.<h3>WHY BET THE MASSACHUSETTS-LOWELL RIVER HAWKS:</h3><ul><li>We have this one finishing with a projected score of 88-60 in favor of the River Hawks.</li><li>Not only will Massachusetts-Lowell pick up the win, but look for them to cover at -7.5.</li><li>The over/under is currently sitting at 137.5 points, and we like the over with a projected 148 points.</li></ul><h3>Will Merrimack College Come Through as Road Underdogs?</h3>Merrimack's season continued with a tough 78-39 road loss to Butler on Friday. Entering the game as +12.5 point underdogs, the Warriors not only lost but also failed to cover the spread. The total points for the game ended at 117, falling short of the 135.5 O/U line. After trailing 37-31 at halftime, Merrimack's offense struggled in the 2nd half, scoring just 8 points while allowing 41.Merrimack's offense struggled mightily in their last game, putting up just 39 points while shooting 29.8% from the field. Their effective field goal percentage was 31.6%, and they hit only 3 of 21 attempts from beyond the arc, shooting 14.3% from three-point range. The Warriors also struggled at the free-throw line, making just 2 of 7 attempts for a 28.6% shooting percentage. On the offensive glass, Merrimack managed just 6 rebounds, and they finished with 11 assists as a team. Pierre Brooks II was a bright spot, scoring 23 points and grabbing 12 rebounds while shooting 9 of 14 from the field and 4 of 5 from three-point range. Andre Screen also had a strong performance, hitting 5 of 6 shots and finishing with 12 points and 9 rebounds.Merrimack College's defense gave up 78 points in their last game, with opponents shooting 47% from the field. They allowed 16 two-point baskets on 31 attempts, a 51% shooting rate. From beyond the arc, Merrimack's defense saw the other team hit 8 threes on 20 attempts, a 40% success rate. They also sent the opposition to the line 31 times, where they converted 22 free throws at a 71% clip. Merrimack also gave up 14 offensive rebounds.<h3>Do the River Hawks Stand a Chance at Home?</h3><h3>Massachusetts-Lowell River Hawks Recent Game/Games</h3> 

The River Hawks picked up an 80-70 win over Quinnipiac on Saturday, November 23rd, at home. They entered the game as -5.5 favorites and covered the spread with the win. The combined points of 150 fell just under the O/U line of 153.5. 

UMass-Lowell turned the game around in the 2nd half after trailing 41-32 at halftime. They outscored Quinnipiac 48-29 in the final 20 minutes to secure the win.In their last game, Massachusetts-Lowell's offense put up 80 points, shooting 50.9% from the field with an effective field goal percentage of 56.1%. They hit 62.9% of their two-point attempts, while connecting on 31.8% from beyond the arc, going 7-for-22 from three-point range. At the free-throw line, they converted 15 of 19 attempts, good for 78.9%. The River Hawks dished out 22 assists and grabbed 13 offensive rebounds. Quinton Mincey led the way with 31 points and 8 rebounds, shooting 56.5% overall and 50% from three. Max Brooks was perfect from the field, hitting all 7 of his shots, while Paul Otieno added 18 points and 11 rebounds, shooting 66.7% from the floor.Massachusetts-Lowell's defense gave up 70 points in their last game, with their opponents shooting 50% from the field. They allowed 22 two-point baskets on 35 attempts, a 62% success rate. From beyond the arc, their opponents went 7/22, shooting 31%. Massachusetts-Lowell also sent them to the line 19 times, where they hit 15 free throws, a 78% clip. The River Hawks gave up 13 offensive rebounds.

Merrimack College Warriors vs Massachusetts-Lowell River Hawks NCAA Basketball Betting Pick & Prediction 11/25/24

Making on a bet on this NHL game featuring the Stars versus the Hurricanes? The puck drops at 7:00 ET, and you can watch it all unfold on ESPN+. The game will be played at Lenovo Center in Raleigh, NC. The over/under goal line for this matchup is currently at 6 goals, and the Hurricanes are favored by -1.5 vs. the Stars.<h3>DALLAS STARS VS CAROLINA HURRICANES BETTING PICK</h3>The Pick: Carolina Hurricanes -1.5This game will be played at Lenovo Center at 7:00 ET on Monday, November 25th.<h3>WHY BET THE CAROLINA HURRICANES:</h3><ul><li>Coming in as 1.5 goal favorites, our projections have the Hurricanes picking up a 4-3 win.</li><li>Take the Hurricanes on the moneyline</li><li>On the spread, we like Stars (+1.5)</li></ul><h3>Will the Dallas Defense Show Up on the Road?</h3>Dallas fell to 13-6-0 after a 4-2 loss to the Panthers. The Stars were the puck line underdogs, and the total was set at 6.5 goals, with the combined score reaching 6. 

After trailing 2-0, Dallas tied it up in the second period, but Florida pulled away with two more goals. Evgenii Dadonov and Matt Duchene each scored for the Stars.Dallas took 25 shots on goal in their 4-2 loss to the Panthers, but only found the net twice. Evgenii Dadonov scored his second goal of the season, while Matt Duchene added his seventh. Dadonov's goal came on a power play, with Wyatt Johnston earning his fifth assist of the year. Duchene also picked up his eighth assist. The Stars were held scoreless in the first period before netting both goals in the second, at the 8:38 and 11:22 marks. Dallas had 32 offensive giveaways in the game.Defensively, the Stars will look to bounce back after giving up four goals to Florida in their last game. Casey DeSmith posted a save percentage of 87.5% on 24 shots from the Panthers, and the defense added 5 takeaways and 26 hits. The Stars were tied 2-2 heading into the 3rd period, but they gave up the final two goals, including an empty-netter with 1:00 remaining.<h3>Are the Hurricanes Ready for a Home Win?</h3>Carolina improved to 14-6-1 with a 4-2 win over the Capitals. The Hurricanes covered the puck line as -1.5 goal favorites, and the total of 6 goals matched the pre-game line. Carolina jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first period, but the Capitals responded with two goals before the period ended. The Hurricanes then scored three unanswered goals to secure the win.Carolina took 45 shots on goal in their 4-2 win over Washington, with Dmitry Orlov finding the net twice, bringing his season total to three goals. Martin Necas added his sixth goal of the season and also picked up two assists, his 12th coming on Orlov's second goal. Andrei Svechnikov scored his sixth goal on an empty net with just 9 seconds left in the game. The Hurricanes had 14 giveaways and none of their goals came on power plays.Carolina's defense gave up two late goals in the first period, but they shut down the Capitals the rest of the way, leading to a 4-2 win. Pyotr Kochetkov made 19 saves with a 90.5% save percentage, while the Hurricanes' defense finished with 7 takeaways and 10 hits.

Dallas Stars vs Carolina Hurricanes Betting Pick & Prediction 11/25/24

One of 14 games scheduled for Monday, July 4 in the MLB is a divisional battle in the desert, so don’t miss out on the best Giants vs. Diamondbacks betting pick and odds.



San Francisco and Arizona will open a three-game series at Chase Field, and the Giants are -180 moneyline favorites on MyBookie Sportsbook. These National League West foes will meet for the first time this season.



Giants swept by the White Sox



The San Francisco Giants suffered four consecutive losses, including all three games of the series against the Chicago White Sox at home. After losing ten of the last 13 games and failing to win a series in two weeks, the Giants dropped to a 40-37 record.



The Giants fell to a disappointing 13-4 home loss to the White Sox as a decision to give their bullpen a chance instead of a classic starter proved to be wrong. San Francisco’s staff let even 17 hits, while the batters managed to score only one run off of Lucas Giolito.



Carlos Rodon (7-4) will get his 16th start of the campaign and is hoping for the 4th win in five starts. The 29-year-old left-hander owns a pristine 2.62 ERA, 1.09 WHIP, and 105/28 K/BB ratio over 86.0 innings of work. Rodon never faced the Diamondbacks in his eight-year career.



Diamondbacks dropped a five-run lead against the Rockies



The Arizona Diamondbacks opened a three-game series against the Colorado Rockies with a win at Coors Field, but then lost the next two, the second of which was a disappointing defeat. Arizona had a 5-0 lead, but a couple of homers from C.J. Cron and six RBIs gave the hosts a 6-5 comeback victory.



David Peralta hit a grand slam in the 5th inning to make it 5-0 for the Dbacks and when everybody thought it was going to be an easy win for Zac Gallen (4-2) and the bullpen, C.J. Cron stepped up for the Rockies. Gallen pitched for 6.0 innings and allowed three runs on four hits with four strikeouts and two walks. Noe Ramirez (2-2) took a loss after allowing a three-run home run to Cron in the 8th.



Madison Bumgarner (3-8) will take the mound for the 17th time this year and is looking for a much better month after losing five of six starts in June. The 32-year-old southpaw carries a 3.63 ERA, 1.37 WHIP, and 57/26 K/BB ratio in 79.1 innings. Bumgarner faced his former team twice in 2021 (1-0) and registered a 3.75 ERA in 12.0 innings.



Trends:



San Francisco:



<ul><li>6-1 in the last seven games vs. a left-handed starter</li><li>4-1 in the last five road games vs. a left-handed starter</li></ul>



Arizona:



<ul><li>3-7 in the last ten overall</li><li>4-10 in the last 14 Monday games</li></ul>



San Francisco Giants vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Pick&nbsp;&nbsp;



After struggling on offense lately, I expect the Giants batters to bounce back in this one. It won’t be easy though, Bumgarner knows San Francisco batters well; he did spend 11 years with them. On the other hand, they know him too, so it’s going to be interesting how the Giants will respond. Unlike Bumgarner, Carlos Rodon dominated in June and didn’t allow more than two runs in six starts for a 3-0 record. I am backing him to continue with rock-solid displays. Arizona averages 3.95 runs per nine innings against southpaws and I doubt the hosts can score more than two against Rodon.



Pick: Take the Giants -1.5 at +100



The Total



Rodon has been quite steady for a month and I don’t think he will allow a lot of hits and runs in this one. Bumgarner, even though had a tough month when it comes to a win-loss record, actually pitched well in June. He kept the opponents to under three runs in four of six starts.



Under is 7-1-3 in the Giants’ last 11 during game 1 of a series, while Under is 5-1 in San Francisco’s previous six road games with the total set at 7.0-8.5.



Pick: Go Under 8.5 runs at -110

San Francisco Giants vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Odds, Pick, Prediction 7/4/22

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