The Arizona Diamondbacks and the Chicago Cubs meet in game two of their three-game set in MLB action from Wrigley Field on Saturday.

Diamondbacks Win Opener

The Arizona Diamondbacks got a narrow 1-0 win to kick off the series on Friday, pushing their win streak to three games and overall record to 74-68 on the year, holding onto the final Wild Card spot in the National League. Christian Walker leads the Diamondbacks with 30 home runs and 91 RBIs while Ketel Marte has a team-high 140 hits and a .275 batting average. Corbin Carroll also has 24 home runs and a team-high 45 stolen bases with a .283 batting average, and is the leading candidate for Rookie of the Year in the National League. Merrill Kelly will start for Arizona here and is 11-6 with a 3.22 ERA and 159 strikeouts this season.

Arizona Diamondbacks Team Facts

– The Diamondbacks have won each of their last seven day games against National League opponents.
– The underdogs have covered the run line in each of the Diamondbacks’ last six games at Wrigley Field.
– The Diamondbacks have won the first inning in four of their last five games as road underdogs against NL Central opponents.
– The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Diamondbacks’ last eight games as road underdogs against NL Central opponents.
– The Diamondbacks have led after 5 innings in three of their last four games as road underdogs against NL Central opponents.

Arizona Diamondbacks Player Prop Facts

– Ketel Marte has hit at least one home run in four of the Diamondbacks’ last five games as road underdogs against NL Central opponents.
– Ketel Marte has recorded at least one RBI in each of the Diamondbacks’ last five games as road underdogs against NL Central opponents.
– Ketel Marte has scored at least one run in each of the Diamondbacks’ last seven games as underdogs against NL Central opponents.
– Merrill Kelly has recorded five or more strikeouts in seven of his last eight appearances with the Diamondbacks as underdogs against NL Central opponents.
– Corbin Carroll has recorded two or more total bases in each of the Diamondbacks’ last four games against NL Central opponents.
– Ketel Marte has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 11 appearances with the Diamondbacks as road underdogs against NL Central opponents.
– Corbin Carroll ranks 3rd in the league in Steals (45) this season.

Cubs Shut Out In Game One

The Chicago Cubs couldn’t get anything going in Friday’s opener, and took the loss to fall to 76-66 on the year, sitting 3 games back in the NL Central while holding onto the second spot in the NL Wild Card hunt. Nico Hoerner leads the Cubbies with 154 hits along with 62 RBIs and a .281 batting average this season while Cody Bellinger has a team-high 24 home runs and 86 RBIs along with a .318 batting average this season. Ian Happ has a team-high 30 doubles as well for the Cubbies this season. Justin Steele will start for the Cubs here and is 16-3 with a 2.55 ERA and 153 strikeouts this season.

Chicago Cubs Team Facts

– The Cubs have lost each of their last eight Saturday home games against NL West opponents.
– The Cubs have covered the run line in each of their last nine day games against National League opponents.
– The Cubs have led after 7 innings in each of their last five Saturday day home games.
– The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Cubs’ last three games as favorites against NL West opponents.

Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts

– Cody Bellinger has hit a home run in three of the Cubs’ last five day games against opponents that held a winning record.
– Jeimer Candelario has recorded at least one RBI in five of his last six appearances with his team as a favorite against NL West opponents.
– Cody Bellinger has scored at least one run in 16 of his last 20 appearances in day games against NL teams that held a winning record.
– Justin Steele has recorded six or more strikeouts in each of his last eight home appearances.
– Cody Bellinger has recorded at least one total base in 20 of his last 21 appearances in day games against NL teams that held a winning record.
– Cody Bellinger has recorded at least one hit in 20 of his last 21 appearances in day games against NL teams that held a winning record.
– Justin Steele ranks T1st in the league for Wins (16) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

– The Chicago Cubs ranks 6th in the league for runs scored this season (718).
– The Chicago Cubs ranks 6th in the league for RBI’s this season (691).
– The Arizona Diamondbacks ranks T1st in the league for triples this season (38).
– The Arizona Diamondbacks ranks 3rd in the league for steals this season (142).

Chris’ Pick

I’m siding with the Cubs here. It’s not pretty, but Justin Steele has been more than effective this season, especially at home where he’s thrown some of his best outings this season. Merrill Kelly’s been solid for Arizona himself, especially on the road, but I just feel like this is a spot for Chicago to rally behind their ace and to snag themselves a win here. Give me the Cubs.