Upcoming Match-ups

Diamondbacks vs Cubs Odds Predictions, and Probable Pitchers (July 23)

John Perrotto

by John Perrotto in MLB Baseball

Updated Jul 23, 2021 · 7:10 AM PDT

Arizona Diamondbacks center fielder Ketel Marte celebrating
Arizona Diamondbacks center fielder Ketel Marte celebrates after the 13th inning of a baseball game against the Colorado Rockies, Tuesday, April 6, 2021, in Denver. The Diamondbacks won 10-8 in 13 innings. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
  • The Chicago Cubs are home favorites over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday
  • Zac Gallen (1-4, 3.86) will start for the Diamondbacks against Zach Davies (5-6, 4.35)
  • The odds and pitching matchups can be found below with a prediction

The suddenly hot Arizona Diamondbacks will try to keep winning when they visit the Chicago Cubs at 2:20 p.m. ET Friday in the opener of a three-game series at Wrigley Field.

Despite having the worst record in the major leagues (30-68), the Diamondbacks have won four games in a row, matching their best of the season. That comes after a four-game losing streak.

The Cubs (47-50) have lost four of their last five games and are 9-23 since June 12, yet are favored in this game.

Diamondbacks vs Cubs Odds

Team Moneyline Runline Total
Arizona Diamondbacks +120 OFF OFF
Chicago Cubs -140 OFF OFF

Odds as of July 22nd at DraftKings.

The Cubs opened at -150 on the moneyline but that number has gone down with early money hitting on the Diamondbacks.

Probable Pitchers

Zac Gallen (1-4, 3.86) will start for the Diamondbacks and oppose Zach Davies (5-6, 4.35).

Gallen vs Davies

Zac Gallen
VS
Zach Davies
1-4 Record 5-6
3.86 ERA 4.35
3.66 xERA 6.05
1.33 WHIP 1.48
2.43 SO/W 1.19

Gallen has gone seven straight starts since his lone win April 25 in what has been an injury-plagued season. Gallen is 0-4 with a 4.80 ERA in that span.

In his last start, Gallen pitched well against the Cubs last Saturday at home in a no-decision. He gave up one run and three hits in 5.2 innings with seven strikeouts and two walks. It was Gallen’s first-ever start versus the Cubs.

Gallen was coming off a two-week stint on the injured list because of a strained right hamstring. He has also been on the IL with a hairline fracture in his right forearm and a sprained right elbow.

Gallen has just two quality starts in 10 outings this season. He is 1-1 with a 3.46 ERA in five road starts and 1-1 with a 3.00 ERA in five starts at night.

Davies also faced the Diamondbacks his last time out Sunday in Arizona. He lasted 4.2 innings while taking the loss as he allowed six hits and four walks with three strikeouts.

Davies is 4-2 with a 3.49 ERA in seven career starts against the Diamondbacks.

Since starting a combined no-hitter against the Dodgers on June 24 in Los Angeles, Davies has gone 0-2 with a 4.50 ERA in four starts. He has just four quality starts in 20 tries this season.

Davies has had his moments, though, in 2021.

Davies is 3-3 with a 4.27 ERA in 10 games at Wrigley Field and 2-1 with a 2.78 ERA in seven starts during the daytime.

Batting Average vs Starting Pitchers

Diamondbacks Batters Batting Average vs Davies
Josh VanMeter 1.000
Christian Walker .500
Pavin Smith .500
David Peralta .444
Josh Rojas .333
Nick Ahmed .273
Kole Calhoun .250
Eduardo Escobar .222
Bryan Holaday .000
Josh Reddick .000
Daulton Varsho .000
Cubs Batters Batting Average vs Gallen
Willson Contreras 1.000
Javier Baez .333
Kris Bryant .000
Anthony Rizzo .000
Ian Happ .000
Jason Heyward .000
Nico Hoerner .000
Rafael Ortega .000
Eric Sogard .000

The Diamondbacks could be without second baseman and leadoff hitter Josh Rojas, who dislocated his left pinkie Wednesday in a 6-4 win over the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates. In his last 12 games, Rojas is hitting .390 (16 for 41) with six doubles, two RBIs and 13 walks.

First baseman Christian Walker has given Davies trouble, going 4 for 8 with two doubles and a home run.

Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant is expected back in the starting lineup after being limited to pinch hitting in the last two games against the Cardinals in St. Louis because of right hamstring fatigue.

Shortstop Javier Baez is batting .383 (18 for 47) in his last 12 games with two doubles, three home runs and 12 RBIs.

Diamondbacks vs Cubs Pick

The Cubs took two of three games from the Diamondbacks last week in Phoenix in their first meeting of the season. Cubs catcher Willson Contreras was 3 for 8 in the series and reached base in all three plate appearances against Gallen with two singles and a hit by pitch.

The Cubs are also 22-13 against the Diamondbacks since the start of the 2015 season.

However, look for the Diamondbacks to buck that history in this one as Gallen is pitching better than his record shows, Davies is pitching worse and Arizona — of all teams — is hot.

The Pick: Diamondbacks (+120)

Author Image