The Arizona Diamondbacks and Chicago Cubs clash Thursday in game 1 of an MLB series at Wrigley Field. Let’s preview this game and give out a pick and prediction.

Arizona Diamondbacks Betting Preview

The Diamondbacks need a win after losing 6 of their last 9 games. The Diamondbacks are 0.5 games back in the NL wild card race. The Diamondbacks pitching staff is 22nd in ERA (4.63), 19th in WHIP (1.34) and 12th in quality starts (52). The Diamondbacks’ offense is 13th in runs per game (4.69), 14th in batting average (.253) and 20th in homers (153). Ketel Marte leads the Diamondbacks with 138 hits and 70 RBI, while Christian Walker and Corbin Carroll have combined for 271 hits and 159 RBI. Ryne Nelson gets the ball, and he is 6-7 with a 5.47 ERA and 82 strikeouts this season. This will be Nelson’s first career game against the Cubs.

Arizona Diamondbacks Team Facts

• The Diamondbacks have lost each of their last nine road games against teams that held a winning record.
• The Diamondbacks have failed to cover the run line in 10 of their last 11 games as road underdogs against National League opponents following a home win.
• The Diamondbacks have won the first inning in three of their last four games as road underdogs against NL Central opponents.
• The Diamondbacks have trailed after 7 innings in each of their last six road games against National League opponents that held a winning record.
• The Diamondbacks have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last four night games against National League opponents.

Chicago Cubs Betting Preview

The Cubs look to build on their 4-game winning streak. The Cubs are 1.5 games back in the NL Central. The Cubs pitching staff is 14th in ERA (4.07), 13th in WHIP (1.27) and 4th in quality starts (63). The Cubs’ offense is 6th in runs per game (5.11), 12th in batting average (.254) and 14th in homers (170). Nico Hoerner leads the Cubs with 151 hits and 62 RBI, while Cody Bellinger and Ian Happ have combined for 257 hits and 158 RBI. Javier Assad gets the ball, and he is 3-2 with a 2.69 ERA and 67 strikeouts this season. This will be Assad’s first career game against the Diamondbacks.

Chicago Cubs Team Facts

• The Cubs have lost each of their last five games as favorites against the Diamondbacks following a home win.
• The road team has covered the run line in each of the last seven games between the Diamondbacks and Cubs.
• The Cubs have led after 5 innings in each of their last seven home games against NL West opponents.
• The Cubs have led after 7 innings in each of their last seven games against NL West opponents that held a winning record.
• The Cubs have led after 3 innings in each of their last five home games against National League opponents that held a winning record.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Chicago Cubs ranks T5th in the league for home runs allowed this season (153).
• The Chicago Cubs ranks 6th in the league for runs scored this season (716).
• The Arizona Diamondbacks ranks 1st in the league for triples this season (38).
• The Arizona Diamondbacks ranks T3rd in the league for steals this season (135).

Randy’s Pick

The Diamondbacks have fallen off these last couple of weeks, and it’s hard to like them here with Ryne Nelson on the mound, a pitcher with a 5.47 ERA and 1.46 WHIP. Nelson has allowed 15 hits and 12 runs in his last 6 innings. The Cubs have caught fire this week and Javier Assad has been sharp with a 2.69 ERA and 1.18 WHIP. Assad has allowed just 8 runs in his last 37 innings. I have to side with the Cubs in this spot, and of course I’ll lay the RL to shave down the price.