Padres vs. Diamondbacks (September 17): Will San Diego struggle against in-form Gallen?

With the Milwaukee Brewers lurking behind them in the NL wild-card standings, the San Diego Padres needed to win last night against the Arizona Diamondbacks after being shut out in Thursday’s opener.

The Friars did what they needed to, pummeling the D-backs 12-3 behind four homers and 17 hits. With the Brewers winning in walk-off fashion against the Yankees last night, San Diego enters today a game and a half ahead of Milwaukee for the final NL wild-card spot.

While Madison Bumgarner has been struggling as of late, the same can’t be said for Zac Gallen, who San Diego has to deal with in this evening’s matchup.

Gallen’s impressive scoreless innings streak ended in his last start, but his late NL Cy Young charge remains on course and could receive a major boost with a gem tonight.

San Diego Padres vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Matchup Information and Betting Odds

Matchup Information

• Matchup: San Diego Padres (79-66, 41-35 away, 2nd in the NL West) vs. Arizona Diamondbacks (68-76, 39-37 home, 4th in the NL West)
• Venue & Location: Chase Field (Phoenix, Arizona)
• Date: Saturday, September 17, 2022
• Game Time: 8:10 p.m. Eastern Time (5:10 p.m. local time)

Padres vs. Diamondbacks Pitching Matchup

• San Diego: RHP Joe Musgrove (2022: 26 starts, 9-7, 3.28 ERA)
• Arizona: RHP Zac Gallen (2022: 27 starts, 12-2, 2.50 ERA)

Padres vs. Diamondbacks Odds

Game odds are via BetOnline. Odds from our other recommended legal sports betting sites may also appear in this article.

Moneyline

• San Diego Padres -102
• Arizona Diamondbacks -116

Over/Under

• Over 7 (-120)
• Under 7 (-102)

Run Line

• San Diego Padres +1.5 (-225)
• Arizona Diamondbacks -1.5 (+184)

San Diego Padres vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Prediction and Betting Picks

Padres vs. Diamondbacks Prediction: Arizona to win

Padres vs. Diamondbacks Picks: Arizona ML (Best Value: -113 at BetUS) & Zac Gallen over 5.5 strikeouts (Best Value: +126 at BetOnline)

The Padres went off last night with a left-handed starter on the mound, but they are much better in games started by LHP than in games started by RHP.

Batting Splits for the San Diego Padres

• Batting Average vs. RHP: .239
• Batting Average vs. LHP: .245
• BA in games started by RHP: .236
• BA in games started by LHP: .249

San Diego actually averages more runs per game in games started by RHP (4.46) than in games started by LHP (4.24), but in the series opener, they were on the wrong end of a debut gem by D-backs pitcher Drey Jameson. Jameson allowed just two hits and a walk in seven shutout innings.

That is ominous for today’s matchup, given who they are going up against. Gallen is currently tied with Dodgers pitcher Julio Urias for the second-best NL Cy Young odds at BetOnline, with the two NL West hurlers coming in at +700 odds, behind longtime favorite Sandy Alcantara (-250).

Gallen’s scoreless innings streak ended at 44.1 innings last Sunday against the Colorado Rockies, as he gave up three runs in six innings.

But he allowed only four hits, didn’t give up a walk, and struck out 11 to improve to 8-0 in his last 16 starts. Given how good the Rockies are offensively at Coors Field, it was an outstanding performance.

Gallen is 6-0 with a 2.44 ERA in 14 home starts this season, and in his last five home starts, he is 4-0 with a 0.28 ERA. In 33 innings, he has allowed two runs (one earned), 12–yes, 12–hits, and five walks and struck out 34.

Look for that sizzling stretch to continue this evening against the Padres, who could see their hold on a wild-card spot become a bit more tenuous if they don’t get some cooperation from the Yankees in Milwaukee.

Along with backing Arizona to win, Gallen’s strikeout prop is worth some attention.

San Diego’s Strikeout Splits

• Strikeouts per game in games started by RHP: 8.4
• Strikeouts per game in games started by LHP: 7.7
• Ks per game at home: 8.0
• Ks per game on the road: 8.3

Gallen has tallied at least six strikeouts each of his last seven starts, and if he pitches at least six innings today like he has in those last seven starts, six is a very reachable number even against a team that doesn’t strike out a ton.

More Padres vs. Diamondbacks Content on Betting News

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