Arizona Diamondbacks (30-68) vs. Chicago Cubs (47-49)
July 23, 2021 2:20 pm EDT
The Line: Chicago Cubs -151 / Arizona Diamondbacks +139; Over/Under: -
(Get latest betting odds)
The Arizona Diamondbacks and the Chicago Cubs meet Friday in MLB action from Wrigley Field. The Diamondbacks are coming off a series versus the Pirates. Arizona managed wins in all three of those games for a sweep. As for the Cubs, they played the Cardinals this week. After losing two of the first three games, on Thursday Chicago fell in a one-run result. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Arizona didn’t have much trouble with the Pirates this week, recording wins 4-2 Monday, 11-6 Tuesday and 6-4 on Wednesday. In game three, Diamondbacks pitcher Madison Bumgarner lasted 5.0 innings with seven hits and one earned run.
For the starter job in the Friday game, the Diamondbacks will send out Zac Gallen. Across his 46.2 innings this year, Gallen has 39 hits, 21 runs (20 earned), five homers allowed, 23 walks, 56 Ks and a 3.86 ERA.
Over on the Cubs’ side, they eked out a 7-6 win over the Cardinals on Tuesday but otherwise lost Monday 8-3 and Wednesday 3-2. In the Thursday finale, Chicago fell behind early and couldn’t come back in a 3-2 defeat. Adbert Alzolay managed 6.0 innings with three earned on three walks and four hits.
For the starter job in the Friday opener, the Cubs are sending out Alec Mills. Over his 52.1 innings this year Mills has 57 hits, 33 runs (27 earned), five homers allowed, 18 walks, 46 Ks and a 4.64 ERA.
The Diamondbacks are 4-0 in their last four versus the NL Central and 4-1 in their last five in game one of a series. Arizona is 11-40 in their last 51 road games and 12-46 in their last 58 overall.
Meanwhile, the Cubs are 6-1 in their last seven versus a team with a winning percentage less than .400 and 3-7 in their last 10 in game one of a series. Chicago is 5-16 in their last 21 overall and the under is 15-5-1 in their last 21 versus a team with a winning percentage below .400.
PICK: I’m going to take a stab on the Diamondbacks. Mills gave up five runs in 4.0 innings (one earned) during his last outing, and has a total of six earned in his last 15.1 innings of work. As for Gallen, he’s got seven earned over his last four appearances in a span of 17.1 frames. Both guys could use a good showing here, and I think we’ll get a solid pitching battle. Should be an interesting matchup.
