The Arizona Diamondbacks returned from the All-Star break resembling the same team that lost 66 of its 92 games prior to the hiatus, recording a total of three runs in back-to-back home losses to the Chicago Cubs. They've turned up the offense since, scoring 27 runs while matching a season high with four straight triumphs. The Diamondbacks hope to continue their surge when they visit the Cubs for the opener of a three-game series on Friday afternoon. Arizona began its winning streak with a 6-4 victory over Chicago on Sunday and followed by taking three straight against Pittsburgh for just its second series sweep of the season.
First pitch at Wrigley Field is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. ET. Arizona sends Zac Gallen (1-4, 3.86 ERA) to the mound against fellow right-hander Zach Davies (5-6, 4.35). Chicago is the -140 favorite (risk $140 to win $100) on the money line at William Hill Sportsbook, while the over-under for runs scored is 10 in the latest Diamondbacks vs. Cubs odds. Before making any Cubs vs. Diamondbacks picks, be sure to see the MLB predictions and betting advice from SportsLine's proven model.
This model, which simulates every pitch of every game 10,000 times, is 125-99 on top-rated MLB picks through 16 weeks in the 2021 season, returning over $600. It also had a banner 2019 season, the league's last full schedule, returning more than $1,400 on its top-rated money-line and run-line picks. Anyone following it has seen huge returns.
Now, the model has dialed in on Diamondbacks vs. Cubs. You can visit SportsLine now to see its MLB picks. Here are the MLB odds today and betting trends for Cubs vs. Diamondbacks:
Diamondbacks vs. Cubs money line: Chicago -140, Arizona +130Diamondbacks vs. Cubs over-under: 10.5Diamondbacks vs. Cubs spread: Cubs -1.5 (+125)AZ: The Diamondbacks are 1-6 in their last seven games following an off-day CHC: The Cubs have won four of their last five home meetings with ArizonaFeatured Game | Chicago Cubs vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
Why you should back the Cubs
Davies gave up only two runs against the Diamondbacks on Sunday but lasted only 4 ⅔ innings, marking the fourth straight outing in which he failed to work more than five frames. The 28-year-old has enjoyed success versus Arizona in his career, going 4-2 with a 3.49 ERA in seven starts. Davies received no run support in his last turn but is hoping the Cubs' offense will produce like it did in the team's two victories over the Diamondbacks last weekend.
Chicago belted three home runs in its series-opening 5-1 triumph, with Jason Heyward, Anthony Rizzo and Patrick Wisdom all going deep. Willson Contreras was the star at the plate in Saturday's 4-2 victory, registering three of the Cubs' seven hits - including a two-run blast that capped a three-run rally in the ninth inning. Javier Baez went 5-for-13 and drove in three runs in the three-game set at Arizona and is hitting .316 with seven homers and 22 RBIs in 27 career games against the Diamondbacks.
Why you should back the Diamondbacks
Gallen pitched well enough to win against the Cubs on Saturday, allowing one run and three hits over 5 ⅔ innings en route to a no-decision. The 25-year-old registered seven strikeouts, one shy of his season high, as he turned in his longest outing since a six-inning effort on May 7 against the New York Mets. Gallen hopes to receive strong support from an offense that has produced six or more runs three times during the team's winning streak and racked up 12 hits in Wednesday's 6-4 win over Pittsburgh.
The Diamondbacks received contributions from their entire lineup in that victory, as seven different players recorded a hit and six drove in a run. Nick Ahmed led the charge with a three-hit performance and has gone 8-for-15 with five RBI over his last five contests. All-Star Eduardo Escobar has been productive during Arizona's winning streak, going 5-for-16 with one double, one triple, two homers, five RBI and five runs scored.
How to make Diamondbacks vs. Cubs picks
SportsLine's model is leaning under on the total, as the teams combine for 8.6 runs in the simulations, and it also says one side of the money line has all the value. You can only see the model's MLB picks today at SportsLine.
So who wins Diamondbacks vs. Cubs? And which side of the money line has all the value? Visit SportsLine now to see which side of the money line to jump on, all from the advanced model that has crushed its MLB picks, and find out.
