Game 2: Arizona Diamondbacks at Milwaukee Brewers odds & predictions
The Arizona Diamondbacks visit the Milwaukee Brewers for Game 2 of an NL Wild Card Series Wednesday. First pitch from American Family Field is at 7:08 p.m. ET (ESPN2). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Diamondbacks vs. Brewers odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.
Wild Card Series: Diamondbacks lead 1-0
The Diamondbacks won 6-3 Tuesday despite falling behind 2-0 in the 2nd inning. Arizona hit 3 home runs and the bullpen combined for 6 1/3 scoreless innings to open the playoffs with a victory after wrapping the regular season on a 4-game losing skid.
The Brewers had won 4 of their last 6 games in the regular season but only won 2 of 6 regular-season meetings with the D-Backs.
Diamondbacks at Brewers projected starters
RHP Zac Gallen vs. RHP Freddy Peralta
Gallen finished the regular season 17-9 with a 3.47 ERA over 34 starts. He had a 1.12 WHIP, 2.0 BB/9 and 9.4 K/9 through 210 IP.
- Last start: Loss, 6 1/3 IP, 2 ER, 7 H, 1 BB, 7 K in 2-1 home loss to Houston Astros on Friday
- Was 2-0 with 0.64 ERA in 2 starts vs. Brewers in 2023 (14 IP)
- Making 1st career postseason start
Peralta went 12-10 with a 3.86 ERA over 30 regular-season starts. He had a 1.12 WHIP, 2.9 BB/9 and 11.4 K/9 through 165 2/3 IP.
- Last start: Loss, 3 IP, 4 ER, 9 H, 0 BB, 4 K in 6-1 road loss to Miami Marlins on Sept. 24
- Did not face Diamondbacks in 2023
- Is 3-0 with a 0.55 ERA in 4 career appearances (2 starts) vs. Diamondbacks
- Making 2nd career postseason start (4 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 1 BB, 5 K at Atlanta Braves in 2021)
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Diamondbacks at Brewers odds
BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 11:38 a.m. ET.
Diamondbacks at Brewers picks and predictions
Prediction
Diamondbacks 4, Brewers 3
The Diamondbacks have won 5 of the 7 games against the Brewers this season and Gallen has allowed only 1 run in 14 innings against them. He was far less effective on the road this season, going 5-6 with a 4.42 ERA in 18 road starts.
Peralta went 7-4 with a 3.44 ERA in 16 home starts in 2023.
Arizona has its ace on the mound in a closeout scenario and its bats awoke for 3 homers and 6 runs in the series opener.
BET DIAMONDBACKS (+110).
The Diamondbacks are 87-76 ATS this season and 49-37 ATS as underdogs.
The Brewers are 80-83 ATS.
However, because I’m expecting Arizona to close out the series with an outright win, there is no point in betting them against the spread.
PASS.
Game 1 had 9 total runs and now 5 of 7 games between the Diamondbacks and Brewers have had at least 8 total runs.
Gallen’s last regular-season start had only 3 total runs.
Peralta did not face the Diamondbacks this season but has a career 0.55 ERA against them.
