Sean's MLB AFTERNOON GRAND SLAM! 19-12 RUN!
- Handicapper
- Sean Murphy
- League
- MLB
- Competition
- Atlanta Braves vs Arizona Diamondbacks
- Release Date
- 04/27/2025 08:39 AM
- Event Date
- 04/27/2025 04:10 PM
- Bet Type
- Moneyline
- Pick
-
Arizona Diamondbacks +101
(BetOnline)
- Outcome
- Win
- Analysis
- My selection is on Arizona over Atlanta at 4:10 pm et on Sunday.
After back-to-back tough losses, including an extra-innings heartbreaker on Saturday night, I expect the Diamondbacks to come out focused and determined to avoid a sweep before a much-needed off day on Monday. Despite their four-game skid, Arizona has the matchup edges to get back in the win column here.
Braves starter Spencer Schwellenbach has been solid at home but less effective on the road, allowing six earned runs across 10 2/3 innings in two road outings — both resulting in Atlanta losses. Now, he draws a difficult assignment against an Arizona lineup that leads the majors in weighted on-base average against right-handed pitching this season.
Meanwhile, Brandon Pfaadt has been quietly excellent for the Diamondbacks, allowing only two earned runs across his last three starts. Arizona has won four straight games started by Pfaadt, and while he is working on four days' rest, he hasn’t been overworked, having yet to eclipse 93 pitches in any start this season.
Even after Saturday's bullpen meltdown, Arizona’s bullpen remains one of the best in baseball, ranking second in xFIP, while Atlanta’s bullpen sits a distant 16th. That could prove crucial in what should be another tightly-contested matchup.
With a desperate effort expected and key pitching advantages in their favor, I like the D'Backs to salvage the series finale.
Take Arizona. Projected score: Diamondbacks 4, Braves 3.