2:20 pm
April 19

Diamondbacks @ Cubs

Who will WIN this matchup?

Arizona Diamondbacks (10-9)

@ Chicago Cubs (8-9)

 

Starting Pitchers:

Kelly (ARI): 1-1; 3.79 ERA

Hendricks (CHC) 0-3; 5.40 ERA

 

Last 10 Games Played:

Arizona Diamondbacks: 5-5

Chicago Cubs: 7-3

 

Current odds:

Arizona Diamondbacks: (+150)

Chicago Cubs: (-160)

 

• A matchup with one of the majors’ worst teams helped the Chicago Cubs turn around their slow start, but now they have to face another team on the upswing. The surging Cubs host the equally hot Arizona Diamondbacks for a three-game series beginning Friday. Chicago has won five of its last six games after sweeping a three-game set in Miami earlier this week. The Cubs’ pitching, which struggled during a 1-6 start, was dominant against the Marlins, allowing only two runs in the three-game series.

• The Diamondbacks figure to put up more of a resistance, as they’ve won four straight and are coming off an impressive three-game road sweep of their own at Atlanta. The surge comes on the heels of a four-game skid and has moved Arizona back above .500.

• After a solid three-year stint in Korea, Kelly’s belated big-league career is off to a strong start. The 30-year-old has piled up 17 strikeouts and just three walks in 19 innings across his first three outings, though he has surrendered a home run in each. Kelly was dinged for four runs over five innings in a loss to San Diego last time out, but he allowed only four runs over 14 innings across his first two starts.

• The rest of the Cubs’ rotation has turned it on recently, and Hendricks needs to follow suit. The 29-year-old has lost each of his first three starts and hasn’t yet made it past the fifth inning, but his last outing was his best yet, as he allowed three runs (two earned) over five frames. Hendricks is 2-1 with a 2.49 ERA in four starts against Arizona.

• The Cubs are 0-8 when trailing after five innings.

• Arizona OF David Peralta is 10-for-29 during an eight-game hitting streak.

• Diamondbacks OF Adam Jones is batting .333 with four home runs in 10 road games.

5/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Chicago Cubs
Previous Pick
Next Pick