D’Backs vs Orioles Odds: Baltimore Smaller Favs Than Expected
Arizona Brings Winning Streak Into Baltimore
The Arizona Diamondbacks (18-20) visit Baltimore (24-12) for a three-game series beginning Friday. The Diamondbacks are 7.5 games back in the NL West, but have won four straight games. The problem for Arizona is the Dodgers have won seven in a row.
The Orioles own a half-game lead over the Yankees in the MLB baseball standings in the AL East. Arizona is scheduled to start Brandon Pfaadt against Cole Irvin for the Orioles. The D’Backs vs Orioles odds see Baltimore favored just -134, which seems a little cheap. The total is 8.5-under (-120).
Arizona is No. 9 in team batting average at .249. The Diamondbacks are tied for No. 18 in home runs, so the team has a little less power than average. Arizona is scoring 5.0 runs per game, which is well above average, so the offense has helped.
The pitching staff hasn’t been that good and the Diamondbacks are No. 22 in team ERA. The bullpen has been a little below average and is a little worse away from home.
The Orioles are No. 10 in team batting average, but also lead the league in home runs. Baltimore is averaging 5.2 runs per game, which trails just the Dodgers. The Orioles are tied for the least amount of walks, so the hitters go to the plate swinging, but it does hurt the team’s on base percentage. Baltimore ranks No. 20 in getting on base.
The Orioles have found good production from its pitchers and are No. 6 in team ERA. The bullpen has been decent for the most part, although the team has blown a few more saves than you’d like. Overall, pitching is one of the team strengths.
Arizona Diamondbacks vs Baltimore Orioles 
Day/Time:
Location: Oriole Park at Camden Yards
Streaming: ESPN
Friday’s Game
Arizona is just 2-5 when Pfaadt starts and he has an ERA of 4.61. He had a couple of rough starts early on, but has pitched a little better since then. It hasn’t helped the Diamondbacks win, as they’ve lost five of his last six starts.
The Orioles are 5-1 when Irvin starts and he’s been on a roll. He hasn’t allowed a run over his last three starts and has pitched more than six innings each game.
The D’Backs vs Orioles odds are a bit lower than expected, although the Diamondbacks have hit left-handed starters well. Arizona is averaging a league-high 7.1 runs against left-handed starts, but are still just 5-9. The Diamondbacks have three games of 14 or more runs against LHP and three games of three or fewer runs. The MLB score predictions like Baltimore due to the better team record. This could be a case of a side looking too good, however, so the slightest of leans to Baltimore.
Saturday’s Game
Ryne Nelson and John Means are the scheduled starters here. The Diamondbacks are 2-3 in the five games Nelson has started this season. He’s pitched a bit better on the road, although his 5.22 ERA is a bit ugly.
Means made his first start of the season after arm issues in spring training. It was hard to tell he missed any time, throwing seven scoreless innings against the Reds. He allowed three hits and struck out eight. Means is a bit of name pitcher, so the D’Backs vs Orioles odds could be inflated a little bit.
This is another game against a left-handed starter for Arizona, so it’s tough from a betting standpoint. The Diamondbacks are obviously capable of putting up the runs against southpaws, but do you trust them to do so here? Probably not, but the odds could be too high on the Orioles for there to be any betting value. The MLB live stats should let you know early how this game is playing out. A live wager on the Orioles might not be the worst idea if Means is on his game.
Sunday’s Game
Zac Gallen gets the start for Arizona against Dean Kremer for the Baltimore Orioles in the series finale. The Diamondbacks are 4-3 when Gallen starts, but he’s been much better at home. Arizona is 3-0 when Gallen starts at home and his ERA is 0.53. The Diamondbacks are 1-3 when he starts on the road, where Gallen sports a 4.71 ERA.
Kremer is the exact opposite of Gallen. His home ERA is 6.06, while he’s pitching to a 1.88 on the road. He’s really had just one bad start this season, which was at home, and that’s had an impact on his stats. Kremer is off a strong start, but was hit hard last time he didn’t allow a run in his previous outing.
The odds in this one will be relatively low, although the trends will point to the over given both pitchers struggling in today’s location.
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