Arizona Diamondbacks (23-18) vs. Oakland Athletics (9-33)
May 15, 2023 9:40 pm EDT
The Line: Oakland Athletics +150 / Arizona Diamondbacks -175 ; Over/Under: 8.5
(Get latest betting odds)
The Arizona Diamondbacks and the Oakland Athletics meet Monday in MLB action from O.co Coliseum. Arizona is fresh off a series versus the Giants. The Diamondbacks won two of the first three in that set, then on Sunday Arizona took a close win. As for Oakland, they played the Rangers over the weekend and lost two of the first three games. On Sunday the A’s took a blowout loss. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks lost to the Giants 6-2 on Thursday but came back for wins 7-5 Friday and 7-2 Saturday. In the finale Arizona eked out a walk-off 2-1 victory. Brandon Pfaadt lasted 5.0 innings in the start with one earned on one hit and three walks.
For starter duties on Monday, the Diamondbacks will go with Merrill Kelly. Over eight starts this year Kelly is 3-3 with a 3.18 ERA and 46 strikeouts over 45.1 innings. Kelly is 39-38 in his career with a 3.90 ERA in 105 games.
Oakland Athletics
Over on the A’s side, they beat the Rangers 9-7 on Friday but lost otherwise 4-0 Thursday and 5-0 Saturday. On Sunday Oakland gave up 11 hits and eight runs in the eighth inning during an 11-3 loss. Starter JP Sears left after 5.1 innings with two earned on five hits and a walk.
As starting pitcher on Monday the Athletics are sending out Drew Rucinski. In three starts this year Rucinski is 0-3 with an 8.16 ERA and six Ks in 14.1 innings, Rucinski is 4-7 with a 5.93 career ERA in 44 games (four starts).
The Diamondbacks are 4-0 in their last four Monday games and 7-3 in their last 10 interleague games. Arizona is 7-19 in their last 26 versus the AL West.
Meanwhile, the A’s are 29-66 in their last 95 at home and 14-37 in their last 51 on grass. Oakland is 13-38 in their last 51 overall.
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’ll probably try Arizona in this one. Kelly had some ups and downs versus Miami in his last outing (6.0 innings; four earned), but overall he’s been pretty good. Kelly had just two earned in 13.0 previous innings before that, going 2-0 with 10 hits and two walks in that span. As for Rucinski, he’s struggled over his last pair with 8.2 innings, 10 earned, 10 hits and eight walks in total. I like a better outing from Rucinski here but it’s probably still Arizona’s game to win.
