Diamondbacks at Brewers
O/U 8.5 · RL Brewers -1.5 · American Family Field
Diamondbacks ML+110
CONF 68%
WCashedFinal 6-2
The read
The roof is closed at American Family Field as two 15-13 clubs look to break a dead heat in the National League standings after a lopsided series opener. While Milwaukee dominated yesterday in a 13-run explosion, tonight’s matchup presents a massive tactical hurdle for the Brewers that the market might be overlooking. Milwaukee enters this game hitting a dismal .199 as a team against left-handed pitching this season. With Eduardo Rodriguez and his 2.89 ERA on the mound for Arizona, key Brewers bats like Jake Bauers and Brice Turang—who are both hitting under .180 against southpaws—face a significant uphill battle to replicate yesterday's offensive production.
The pitching disparity is the primary driver for the Diamondbacks tonight. Arizona sends a veteran in Rodriguez who has shown the ability to suppress runs effectively, while Milwaukee counters with rookie Brandon Sproat. Although Sproat has shown durability by pitching deep into games, his 6.45 ERA and 1.57 WHIP are backed by a serious home run problem, having surrendered five long balls in just over 22 innings of work. Against an Arizona lineup that features the hottest hitter in baseball, Ildemaro Vargas, who is currently riding a 24-game hitting streak, Sproat’s tendency to give up the big fly in a hitter-friendly environment is a recipe for trouble.
Arizona also benefits from a classic revenge spot and fresh roster reinforcements. The return of Geraldo Perdomo to the shortstop position stabilizes the infield, while the Brewers' bullpen took a hit today with the fresh loss of Angel Zerpa to the injured list. While the Brewers have the momentum of a blowout win, the Diamondbacks hold the edge in the starting pitching matchup and the critical lefty-righty splits. At plus money, I am banking on Rodriguez to neutralize the Milwaukee bats and for the Diamondbacks' offense to exploit a vulnerable rookie starter to even the series.
Injuries noted
Brewers: [NEW] Angel Zerpa (Relief Pitcher) — Forearm (Left): The Brewers placed Zerpa on the 15-day injured list Wednesday with left forearm tightness, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. (Apr 29 — 0d ago) [NEW] Christian Yelich (Left Fielder) — Groin (Left): Yelich (groin) is ramping up his hitting and running work and still has an estimated return of mid-to-late May, Sophia Minnaert of Brewers.tv reports. (Apr 28 — 1d ago) [NEW] Jared Koenig (Relief Pitcher) — Elbow (Left): Koenig (elbow) is slated to resume a throwing program Tuesday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports. (Apr 28 — 1d ago) [NEW] Andrew Vaughn (First Baseman) — Hand (Left): Vaughn (hand) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. (Apr 28 — 1d ago) [NEW] Jackson Chourio (Left Fielder) — Hand (Left): Chourio (hand) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A Nashville on Wednesday, Curt Hogg of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. (Apr 28 — 1d ago) [KNOWN] Rob Zastryzny (Relief Pitcher) — Ribs (Left): Zastryzny (shoulder) was diagnosed with an intercostal strain and will be sidelined until at least late April, Todd Rosiak of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel reports. (Apr 14 — 15d ago) [KNOWN] Akil Baddoo (Left Fielder) — Quadriceps (Left): The Brewers placed Baddoo (quadriceps) on the 60-day injured list Tuesday, Adam McCalvy of MLB.com reports. (Mar 24 — 36d ago) Diamondbacks: [NEW] Zac Gallen (Starting Pitcher) — Shoulder (Right): Gallen (shoulder) is expected to throw a bullpen session Wednesday, Steve Gilbert of MLB.com reports. (Apr 29 — 0d ago) [NEW] Gabriel Moreno (Catcher) — Oblique (Left): Moreno (oblique) is expected to rejoin the Diamondbacks during the series against the Cubs that begins Friday, Nick Piecoro of the Arizona Republic reports. (Apr 27 — 2d ago) [KNOWN] Jeff Brigham (Relief Pitcher) — Undisclosed (Not Specified): The Cubs signed Brigham to a minor-league contract Thursday that includes an invitation to spring training, Bruce Levine of 670TheScore.com reports. (Mar 30 — 29d ago) [KNOWN] Pavin Smith (Left Fielder) — Elbow (Left): Smith underwent surgery to remove bone chips from his left elbow Thursday, Alex Weiner of Arizona Sports reports. (Apr 18 — 11d ago) [KNOWN] Jordan Lawlar (Shortstop) — Wrist (Right): The Diamondbacks transferred Lawlar (wrist) from the 10-day injured list to the 60-day IL on Tuesday. (Apr 7 — 22d ago) [KNOWN] Carlos Santana (First Baseman) — Thigh (Right): The Diamondbacks placed Santana on the 10-day injured list Tuesday with a right adductor strain. (Apr 7 — 22d ago) [KNOWN] Andrew Saalfrank (Relief Pitcher) — Shoulder (Left): Saalfrank (shoulder) said Wednesday that he expects to be sidelined 10-16 months, Arizona Sports reports. (Feb 11 — 77d ago)
Props on this game
2Ildemaro VargasOVER 1.5 Total Bases Total Bases+110
LActual 1
Ildemaro Vargas is in the midst of a historic 24-game hitting streak and leads the Diamondbacks in both average (.370) and home runs (6). Tonight, he faces rookie right-hander Brandon Sproat, who has been highly susceptible to the long ball, surrendering 5 HRs in just 22.1 innings. Sproat's 1.57 WHIP indicates he allows significant traffic on the bases, and Vargas's elite contact rate (only 5 K in L10) combined with Sproat's tendency to miss over the heart of the plate makes this a prime spot for an extra-base hit. The over on total bases captures both his streak-driven floor and his home-run upside against a struggling rookie.
William ContrerasOVER 1.5 H+R+RBI H+R+RBI-135
LActual 0
William Contreras has historically dominated the Diamondbacks and enters this game hitting .341 over his last 10. He faces Eduardo Rodriguez, who is significantly overperforming his peripherals (2.89 ERA vs 4.94 xERA). Rodriguez's xwOBA of .349 and 3.86 BB/9 suggest he is a prime candidate for a regression game where he struggles to strand baserunners. Batting 3rd in a lineup that scored 13 runs last night, Contreras has the volume and the specific matchup advantage (RHP vs LHP) to clear a combined Hits + Runs + RBIs line.
Every pick posts before the game and is graded after, in public. In the app you can ride or fade any of them, and your book keeps score against Gary's.
Download on the App Store