Will the Diamondbacks win the series?
Battle of the bullpens is advantage Diamondbacks.
Through 5 July, each team’s bullpen’s wOBA (.342 & .339) was near league average (.330 wOBA) for all pitching. But July is different.
In July, the Angels’ .338 wOBA was about the same as their season average. Remarkably, the Diamondbacks’ wOBA improved to .270.
If the recent performance continues, the Diamondbacks have the better bullpen!
Battle of the bats is a tossup.
For the season through 8 July, the Diamondbacks scoredmore runs per game (5.08 vs 4.24).
In their first 9 games of July, the Diamondbacks scored more runs (39 vs 38). However, the teams lacked consistency in scoring runs. On 8 July, the Diamondbacks lost 0-1 against the Padres, while the Angels lost 1-13 against the Rangers. On 9 July, the Diamondbacks won 8-2 and the Angels won 11-8.
If recent performance continues, scoring runs is a tossup.
Come from behind wins is advantage Diamondbacks.
This is a Diamondbacks strength per this AZ Snake Pit article.
All things considered, the Diamondbacks will likely win the series with at least one come from behind win.
Dream Scenario.
With an outrageously optimistic mindset, what is a dream scenario for the Dimondbacks? After splitting the 4-game series with San Diego (a disappointing result because with a couple breaks they could have won it), the Diamondbacks sweep the Angels. Because through 97 games, their win-loss record is the same as last season, perhaps with a couple strategic changes they could reach the playoffs (unlike last season). After some amazing analysis, the Diamondbacks see a less-than-obvious opportunity. They successfully execute the trade they need to capture that opportunity. In addition, a couple Diamondbacks have breakout performances and the Diamondbacks reach the playoffs.
Angels to Watch.
Jo Adell, center field. Recently, he is a hot batter. Although less than June’s 1.038 OPS, he started July with an OPS of .820 that included 9 RBIs in 8 games.
Diamondbacks to Watch
This season, Corbin Carroll and Jarren Duran (Red Sox) are tied for the most triples (10 triples) in the Majors. Will Corbin Carroll take the lead?
What to look for each day.
Friday, 6:38 PM MST.
Ryne Nelson. In his last three games, he is pitching at his best (with an 1.93 ERA which is better than his season’s 3.39 ERA). The Diamondbacks won each of these three games.
Tyler Anderson. In his last three games, he is pitching at his best (with an 2.03 ERA which is better than his season’s 4.19 ERA).
This matchup of starting pitchers is advantage Diamondbacks.
Saturday, 6:38 PM MST.
Zac Gallen. In his last three games, he is pitching at his best (with an 2.95 ERA which is better than his season’s 5.15. In his latest start, he pitched well (zero runs in 6 innings) with an extra day of rest.
Yusei Kikuchi. In his last three games, he pitched consistently (with an 3.06 ERA which is about the same as his season’s 3.02 ERA).
This matchup of starting pitchers is a toss up.
Sunday, 1:07 PM MST.
Merrill Kelly. In his last three games, he pitched consistently (with an 3.50 ERA which is about the same as his season’s 3.41 ERA). In his latest start, he pitched well (1 earned run in 7 innings) with an extra day of rest.
The Diamondbacks lost each of Kelly’s latest three games by one run. Optimistically, that unusual streak will be broken in a way that favors the Diamondbacks.
Jose Soriano. In his last three games, his pitching is in a slump (with an 7.80 ERA which is worse than his season’s 4.00 ERA).
This matchup of starting pitchers is advantage Diamondbacks.