In the last of a three-game series between the Chicago Cubs (77-57) and the Arizona Diamondbacks (65-71) at Wrigley Field, Kyle Hendricks (6-6, 4.15 ERA) and Rubby De La Rosa (12-6, 4.46 ERA) get the ball. The Cubs won the last game 2-0 and Chicago leads the series 2-0. The game starts at 2:20 p.m. ET on Sunday, Sep. 6 and will air on WGN and FSAZ.
In his last start, Hendricks pitched 5.0 innings, giving up three runs, striking out four and walking three in a 13-6 loss to the Reds. Anthony Rizzo (.285, 77 Rs, 28 HRs, 83 RBIs, 15 SBs) went 1 for 4 yesterday with one run. The Diamondbacks were victorious the last time De La Rosa pitched. He tossed 6.0 innings, allowing three runs and striking out three in a 5-3 victory over the Rockies. Paul Goldschmidt (.324, 85 Rs, 27 HRs, 97 RBIs, 21 SBs) has been doing well offensively for the Diamondbacks, going 2 for 4 yesterday.
Chicago is a -155 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is unavailable at the moment. The Cubs perform well as a favorite with a 56-33 record and have an overall money line of +684. The Cubs are an exceptional hitting team with an MLB-best .241 team batting average. The Cubs typically don’t swing at bad pitches, which has led to an NL-high 3.5 walks per game. Chicago’s pitching staff has fallen apart in the past 10 games. Its average runs allowed per game rose to 5.6 during that span, compared to its 4.0 season average. The Cubs don’t allow many hitters to get on base, ranking fifth in the league with a 1.20 WHIP. An area where the Cubs are particularly strong is striking batters out, where they average 8.7 K’s per game.
On the other side, the Diamondbacks have a record of 37-43 when they are the underdog and are -181 overall with the money line. Over the past 10 matchups, they are 3-7 SU and have a poor 0-3 record when they were an underdog to win. The Diamondbacks are the top-ranked scoring offense in the NL when playing on the road, averaging four runs per game so far. The Diamondbacks have racked up 118 steals on the year, making them one of the most threatening base-running teams in the league. Arizona’s pitching staff has allowed an average of 5.7 runs per game during the last 10 games, higher than their season average of 4.4.
In their previous five games this season, the Cubs have a 3-2 record. This game will feature De La Rosa (RHP) on the mound against the Cubs, who have a 60-44 record when they take on a right-handed starter. Taking the hill against the Diamondbacks will be the right-hander Hendricks. They sport a 50-50 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – ChC
Notes
When leading after 7 innings, Chicago is 31-22, while Arizona is 26-24.
Having scored zero runs in their last game, the Diamondbacks are going to have to up their game if they want to win this matchup. The Cubs have a 16-0 record in games where opponents scored that many runs.
When they are outhit, the Diamondbacks are 13-46. The Cubs have a 17-43 record when opponents outhit them.
Arizona ranks in the bottom half of the league at 19th when it comes to home runs, hitting 123 this season. Chicago ranks in the top 10 at eighth with 145.
Ranking first in hits, Arizona has earned 9.31 per game this season. Chicago ranks 15th with 8.13 hits.
Ranking 18th, Chicago is in the bottom half of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.716). Arizona ranks in the top 10 at eighth with an OPS of .736.
When the Diamondbacks allow at least one home run, they are 33-59. When the Cubs allow one or more homers, they have a 36-38 record.
