Can Chicago cool off Arizona’s blazing bats, or will the D-backs keep their momentum rolling?
The Chicago Cubs (12-9) return to Wrigley Field on Friday aiming to regain momentum against a red-hot Arizona Diamondbacks (12-7) squad. First pitch is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. ET.
Chicago has hit a rough patch lately, dropping two of their last three matchups — including a 4-2 loss to the San Diego Padres on Wednesday. In contrast, Arizona has been on a roll, securing five straight wins. Their latest victory came in a 6-4 decision over the Miami Marlins, completing a series sweep.
The Cubs will turn to right-hander Colin Rea (1-0, 1.00 ERA), who’s been sharp so far this season. Arizona will counter with Corbin Burnes (0-1, 5.28 ERA), looking to bounce back from early struggles.
As per the latest odds from FanDuel Sportsbook, the Diamondbacks are slight favorites at -112 on the moneyline, while the game’s over/under is set at 11.5 runs.
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What Gives the Cubs a Fighting Chance
Right fielder Kyle Tucker is swinging a hot bat, ranking among MLB leaders with 19 RBIs. He’s also batting .301 with five home runs. Earlier this week against the Padres, he notched his eighth multi-hit game of the season.
Second baseman Nico Hoerner has also been steady at the plate, leading the team with a .313 batting average. He’s driven in 11 runs and tallied 21 hits, including a 2-for-4 performance with a double and a run scored in Sunday’s game against San Diego.
Why Arizona Could Keep Rolling
Arizona center fielder Corbin Carroll continues to make noise offensively. He’s batting .329, tied for fourth in home runs (6), and has 16 RBIs. He’s currently on a 10-game hitting streak and had a standout showing Monday against Miami, with a home run, a double, and five RBIs.
Josh Naylor adds more power to the Diamondbacks’ lineup. The first baseman is batting .328 with 12 RBIs and has hit homers in three consecutive games. He kept the streak alive in Thursday’s game, blasting another solo shot.