Diamondbacks vs Cubs Prediction 5/2/26 MLB Picks Today

In this article, we will formulate a Diamondbacks vs Cubs Prediction for this MLB matchup on Saturday, May 2^nd in the second game of this series. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup.

Chicago Cubs Preview

The Chicago Cubs have a 20-12 record this season and are sitting in the first place of the NL Central. They have a 12-5 home record and are coming off a 6-5 win at home against the Diamondbacks. Their previous three games were a 5-4 win, an 8-3 win and a 7-9 loss on the road against the Padres.

The Cubs have a .260 batting average this season, .352 OBP and .425 Slugging percentage. Chicago’s pitching staff has a 4.04 ERA and 1.20 WHIP. Nico Hoerner is the team’s best hitter with a .297 batting average, also leading the team in RBI with 26. Ian Happ adds a team‑high 7 home runs.

Shota Imanaga (L) is the projected starting pitcher for the Cubs, and he has a 2-2 record, 3.15 ERA and 0.87 WHIP.

Arizona Diamondbacks Preview

The Arizona Diamondbacks have a 16-15 record this season and are sitting in the third place of the NL West. They have a 7-9 away record and are coming off a 5-6 loss on the road against the Cubs. Their previous three games were a 1-13 loss, a 6-2 win and a 2-13 loss on the road against the Brewers.

The Diamondbacks have a .251 batting average this season, .308 OBP and .418 Slugging percentage. Arizona’s pitching staff has a 5.04 ERA and 1.39 WHIP. Ildemaro Vargas is the team’s best hitter with a .404 batting average, also leading the team in RBI with 21 and adding a team‑high 6 home runs.

Ryne Nelson (R) is the projected starting pitcher for the Diamondbacks, and he has a 1-2 record, 7.71 ERA and 1.52 WHIP.

Arizona Diamondbacks @ the Chicago Cubs Betting Trends: May 2, 2026

• Probable Starting Pitcher: Shota Imanaga      Record this season: 2-2      ERA: 2.88
• Home Record: 1-1
• Last 5 against Diamondbacks: 1-0

Why the Chicago Cubs will win

• The Cubs have won each of their last nine home games.
• The Diamondbacks have lost each of their last seven day games against NL Central opponents following a loss.
• The Cubs have covered the run line in each of their last five games following a home win.
• The Diamondbacks have failed to cover the run line in four of their last five day games against NL Central opponents following a loss.
• The Diamondbacks have trailed after 3 innings in each of their last six games as underdogs.
• The Cubs have led after 5 innings in each of their last six games as home favorites against NL West opponents.
• The Diamondbacks have lost the first inning in four of their last five games at Wrigley Field against opponents that held a winning record.

• Probable Starting Pitcher: Ryne Nelson      Record this season: 1-2      ERA: 7.71
• Road Record: 1-0
• Last 5 against Cubs: 2-0

Why the Arizona Diamondbacks will win

• The Cubs have lost seven of their last eight games as favorites against the Diamondbacks following a home win.
• The Diamondbacks have won five of their last six games as underdogs following a loss.
• The Diamondbacks have covered the run line in each of their last eight games following a road loss.
• The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in nine of their last 10 day games against teams that held a winning record.

Total Runs Facts

• Nine of the Cubs’ last 10 games have gone OVER the total runs line.
• Six of the Diamondbacks’ last seven games as underdogs have gone OVER the total runs line.
• The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the Diamondbacks’ last four day games against NL Central opponents.
• The ‘Inning 1 UNDER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in four of the Cubs’ last five games as favorites against NL West opponents.

Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts

• Seiya Suzuki has hit a home run in three of the Cubs’ last four home games.
• Shota Imanaga has recorded five or more strikeouts in nine of his last 11 appearances in day games.
• Nico Hoerner has recorded at least one hit in each of the Cubs’ last 13 day games against NL opponents that held a winning record.
• Nico Hoerner ranks T9th in the league in Hits (38) this season.

Arizona Diamondbacks Player Prop Facts

• Lourdes Gurriel Jr. has hit a home run in two of his last three appearances against the Cubs.
• Ryne Nelson has recorded a win in three of his last four appearances with the Diamondbacks as underdogs against NL Central opponents.
• Ildemaro Vargas has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 27 appearances.
• Ildemaro Vargas ranks 1st amongst qualified players for Batting Average (.404) this season.

Matchup/League Facts

• The Cubs rank 1st in the league for on-base percentage this season (.352).
• The Cubs rank 2nd in the league for walks this season (145).
• The Diamondbacks rank 1st in the league for triples this season (10).
• The Diamondbacks rank 29th in the league for walks this season (83).

Diamondbacks vs Cubs Prediction

Both teams are tied 5-5 in their last 10 meetings but the Cubs are 3-1 in their last 4 meetings in Chicago.

In this Diamondbacks vs Cubs Prediction, the Cubs are coming as -170 home favorites. The Cubs won the opening game of the series and are now 7-3 in their last 10 games and very strong at home, while the Dbacks are 3-7 in their last 10 and have a pitching disadvantage, as Ryne Nelson goes up against Shota Imanaga. Nelson has given up 14 runs in his last two starts and has to face the second-best offense in baseball, so this smells trouble for Arizona. On top of that, Arizona ranks 24^th in bullpen ERA, so this shapes up as another Cubs win. Take the Cubs on the moneyline at home.