Arizona Diamondbacks by 2
Alright sports fanatics, here's the rundown: we're staring down the barrel of an Arizona Diamondbacks-Los Angeles Angels spectacle, and I use that term with the loosest possible definition. We're set in the ever-so-neutral Angel Stadium. It's got a Park Factor that tips its invisible hat to the batters, but let's not get into numbers. Who wants mathematics thrown at them in a baseball discussion, am I right?
Starting for the Diamondbacks, we've got Zac Gallen with a 5.29 ERA this season, and nearly lapping him in terms of strikeout ratios. Meanwhile, over in the Angels corner, we have Yusei Kikuchi sporting a 3.09 ERA and 9.4 strikeouts per nine innings. I mean, to be fair, the Angels had to have something going for them after their regular season record.
Speaking of players, let's delve a bit into the faces on the field. Diamondbacks bring Eugenio Suarez, batting at 0.299, with 27 RBIs and 11 home runs this season. They've also got the likes of Josh Naylor and Ketel Marte on the roster. Over on the LA side, Jo Adell with a batting average of 0.284, 21 RBIs, and 7 home runs. Taylor Ward and Mike Trout are also batting, more on the a-little-below-par side, but let's not split hairs.
Now, past match-ups have been the expected coin flip. Remember last year when the Diamondbacks gave the Angels quite the lesson? 11-1, I mean, someone got their feathers ruffled that day. But Angels have also had their days like when they showed Arizona exactly where they fall in the food chain, 5-2.
Current season records are neck and neck, with the Diamondbacks at 46-48 and the Angels close behind at 45-48. Recent outings for both teams have had their highs and lows. Seems like both teams enjoy practicing their victory speeches and consolation hugs in equal measures.
So, if you're betting on this showdown, it's gonna hinge on the match-ups, team performance, and whether Mercury is in retrograde or not. You didn't hear it from me, but the odds are leaning a little Diamond-back-ish.
Albert’s Prediction: Arizona Diamondbacks by 2