Chicago Cubs vs
Arizona DiamondbacksPredictions & Preview

Arizona Diamondbacks Favored to Win Against Chicago Cubs in Series Opener at Chase Field

On Monday, the Chicago Cubs (8-6) will face the Arizona Diamondbacks (7-8) as they begin a new series at Chase Field in Phoenix. Both teams are coming off split series and will be sending out their respective starting pitchers, Ben Brown for the Cubs and Merrill Kelly for the Diamondbacks. The game is scheduled for 9:40 EST, with Arizona opening as the favorite at -135.

Betting Odds

• Moneyline: Cubs +124 | Diamondbacks -135
• Spread: Cubs +1.5 (-171) | Diamondbacks -1.5 (+153)
• Total: Over/Under 8.75 (-110)
• Based on the moneyline, the implied probability that Arizona will win straight-up is 57%.

Chicago vs Arizona Stats

Chicago Cubs

The Chicago Cubs have fallen to fourth in the NL Central early in the season and will need to start winning games to improve their standings. They are currently 2.5 games behind the division-leading Brewers. Despite playing their third straight series on the road, the Cubs managed to secure a 4-1 win against the Mariners, thanks to a strong performance by starter Shota Imanaga. Seiya Suzuki has been the most productive bat for the team, leading in hits, home runs, and RBIs. Michael Busch and Dansby Swanson have also contributed offensively. Cody Bellinger has struggled at the plate with a batting average of .167. Ben Brown will be the starting pitcher for Chicago, coming off a strong outing in his first start but also having a rough appearance in relief earlier in the season. With a power ranking of 3, the Cubs rank 3 in offense, 19 in defense, and have a record of 8-6.

Arizona Diamondbacks Analysis

The Arizona Diamondbacks have been performing well recently, winning three of their last four games. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. played a key role in their recent victory against the Cardinals with a three-run home run. Gurriel leads the team in home runs and RBIs, while Ketel Marte and Christian Walker also contribute power hitting from the leadoff and cleanup spots. Corbin Carroll and Merrill Kelly are notable players on the team as well. The Diamondbacks have a power ranking of 7 and are ranked #5 for offense, averaging 5.60 runs per game. Despite their recent success, they have a record of 7-8 overall. Top online sportsbooks offer bonus codes that can enhance winnings from wagers. It is worth noting that the Chicago Cubs have won their last three matchups against the Diamondbacks.

Arizona Diamondbacks Favored to Win Against Cubs: Run Line Offers Greater Value

The Arizona Diamondbacks are the favored team in this matchup against the Cubs. There is greater value in playing the run line rather than the moneyline in this game. Arizona has secured seven wins this season, with only one game resulting in a victory by just one run. Merrill Kelly, Arizona's pitcher, holds a 2-0 record with an impressive 2.29 ERA, along with 16 strikeouts and only four walks. On the other hand, Cubs' pitcher Ben Brown has struggled with a 6.10 ERA after allowing six earned runs in just 1.2 innings in a previous game against the Rangers. Lourdes Gurriel Jr. of the Diamondbacks has been a standout performer with a batting average of .317 and four home runs, surpassing the performance of any player on the Chicago Cubs. Despite the Cubs having notable hitters such as Cody Bellinger, they have faced difficulties performing consistently this season. Arizona is poised to win the first game of the series by at least two runs. The recommendation is to take the Diamondbacks to cover the run line.

Sources: [ 1 ] [ 2 ]