Rangers Face Diamondbacks as Gallen Struggles on Road, Gore Seeks Rebound

The Arizona Diamondbacks meet the Texas Rangers tonight after the Diamondbacks posted a 20-20 record this season. They perform slightly better at home than on the road. The team shows offense but needs pitching help. Corbin Burnes could return around the All-Star break to aid a Wild Card push. Zac Gallen's improvement would provide the biggest lift. Gallen stands 1-3 with a 4.70 ERA and 1.49 WHIP. His road numbers lag behind home starts. In four outings over 17.2 innings, he has allowed 14 earned runs. Two road starts against the Mets and Phillies saw four earned runs in 10 innings. Against the Cubs and Dodgers, he gave up 10 earned runs in 7.2 innings. Rangers batters hit .267 against him, with a third of hits for extra bases.

The Rangers carry playoff hopes but sit at 19-22, with a 9-10 home mark. Their hitting matches Arizona's level. The pitching staff leads with a 3.59 ERA and 1.22 WHIP. Offseason addition MacKenzie Gore starts tonight after a trade last year. Gore holds a 2-3 record, 5.18 ERA and 1.40 WHIP. He fares better at home and limited Diamondbacks to three or fewer earned runs in three outings there. Arizona hitters went 12-for-38 against him.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. owns a 5-for-9 career line against Gore. Evan Carter went 5-for-9 with four doubles off Gallen. Carter sits at +389 for two or more hits, +181 for two or more total bases, and +112 for two or more hits, runs or RBIs.

Gallen's road issues favor the Rangers at -131. Both offenses should exploit the starters. Take the over 8 runs.