Arizona (10-10) at Chicago Cubs (9-9)
When: Saturday, April 20th, 2019
Where: Wrigley Field,
Chicago, IL
Time: 2:20 ET | TV: FS Arizona, ABC 7
Opening Odds: Chicago -140
The Chicago Cubs started the season 1-6 thanks to terrible starting pitching and even worse bullpen performances, but have started putting things together on the mound recently. That has resulted in a five-game winning streak and seven of eight overall after Friday’s 5-1 victory over the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks in the opener of their three-game series. The Cubs have allowed only three runs in their last four games and had a 31-inning scoreless streak snapped by Arizona in the ninth inning of Chicago’s 5-1 victory on Friday. The Cubs have actually allowed tow runs or less in seven of their last nine games and Saturday’s starter Yu Darvish is coming off his best outing thus far. The Diamondbacks saw their four-game winning streak snapped on Friday and it dropped the club back to .500, 3.5 games behind the first place L.A. Dodgers in the NL West. Arizona is trying to win their third consecutive road series after sweeping three games in Atlanta earlier this week. Outfielder David Peralta went 1-for-4 on Friday to extend his hitting streak to nine games. Arizona ace Zack Greinke will be on the hill for the D’Backs Saturday.
Pitchers: Diamondbacks – Zack Greinke (2-1, 5.79 ERA) | Cubs – Yu Darvish (1-2, 6.11)
Greinke still has a high ERA thanks to getting rocked for seven runs including four homers versus the Dodgers on Opening Day, but has bounced back with wins in two of his last three starts. Greinke did give up four more home runs in two outings against San Diego, but kept the ball in the park in his other start against Texas. Greinke, who has 28 strikeouts against four walks in 23.1 innings, is 4-3 with a 4.50 ERA in 10 career starts against the Cubs.
10 CENT MLB LINES & 1% CASH BACK
Darvish is slowly improving after Chicago lost each of his first three starts, while surrendering 10 runs in 12 innings during those turns. He pitched 5.2 innings – his longest stint – and gave up just two runs while recording eight strikeouts in a 7-2 at Miami on Monday. Darvish is 2-0 with a 2.75 ERA in three career starts against the D’Backs.
The Cubs have been pitching great, but I still don’t trust Darvish and you can mostly count on Greinke when he takes the mound. Arizona is still one of the best hitting teams in the league and should be able to chase Darvish early. Look for another quality start from Greinke.
Bobby Babowski has 3 free predictions on his Free MLB Picks page for Friday. He is 35-28 on the season.
Pick: Diamondbacks +122
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BETTING TRENDS:
Diamondbacks are 4-1 in their last 5 overall.
Diamondbacks are 4-1 in their last 5 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Diamondbacks are 4-1 in their last 5 games on grass.
Diamondbacks are 6-2 in their last 8 during game 2 of a series.
Diamondbacks are 5-2 in their last 7 road games.
Diamondbacks are 2-5 in their last 7 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Diamondbacks are 2-7 in their last 9 vs. National League Central.
Diamondbacks are 2-8 in their last 10 when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Diamondbacks are 2-9 in their last 11 Saturday games.
Diamondbacks are 4-0 in Greinke’s last 4 Saturday starts.
Diamondbacks are 4-1 in Greinke’s last 5 starts.
Diamondbacks are 4-1 in Greinke’s last 5 starts on grass.
Diamondbacks are 7-2 in Greinke’s last 9 starts during game 2 of a series.
Diamondbacks are 20-7 in Greinke’s last 27 starts after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Diamondbacks are 14-5 in Greinke’s last 19 starts when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Diamondbacks are 5-2 in Greinke’s last 7 starts after allowing 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Diamondbacks are 9-4 in Greinke’s last 13 road starts.
Cubs are 4-0 in their last 4 overall.
Cubs are 4-0 in their last 4 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Cubs are 4-0 in their last 4 games on grass.
Cubs are 4-1 in their last 5 games following a win.
Cubs are 4-1 in their last 5 after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Cubs are 30-14 in their last 44 home games vs. a right-handed starter.
Cubs are 3-8 in their last 11 when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Cubs are 2-6 in their last 8 during game 2 of a series.
Cubs are 4-1 in Darvish’s last 5 starts when their opponent scores 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Over is 2-0-2 in Diamondbacks last 4 Saturday games.
Over is 6-0-1 in Diamondbacks last 7 after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Under is 4-0 in Diamondbacks last 4 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Under is 3-0-1 in Diamondbacks last 4 during game 2 of a series.
Over is 9-1-1 in Diamondbacks last 11 games following a loss.
Over is 5-1 in Diamondbacks last 6 road games vs. a team with a home winning % of greater than .600.
Under is 4-1 in Diamondbacks last 5 road games.
Over is 4-1-1 in Diamondbacks last 6 when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Under is 3-1-2 in Diamondbacks last 6 games vs. a starter with a WHIP greater than 1.30.
Over is 6-0 in Greinke’s last 6 starts following a Quality Start in his last appearance.
Over is 7-0 in Greinke’s last 7 starts on grass.
Over is 7-0 in Greinke’s last 7 starts overall.
Under is 5-1 in Greinke’s last 6 starts during game 2 of a series.
Over is 4-1 in Greinke’s last 5 starts when their opponent scores 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 13-4-2 in Greinke’s last 19 starts when their opponent allows 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Under is 7-3-1 in Greinke’s last 11 Saturday starts.
Under is 7-3 in Greinke’s last 10 starts after scoring 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Under is 6-1 in Cubs last 7 games following a win.
Under is 5-1 in Cubs last 6 after allowing 2 runs or less in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Cubs last 5 home games vs. a team with a winning road record.
Under is 6-2 in Cubs last 8 overall.
Under is 6-2 in Cubs last 8 on grass.
Under is 13-5 in Cubs last 18 home games vs. a right-handed starter.
Over is 20-8 in Cubs last 28 Saturday games.
Under is 20-8 in Cubs last 28 home games.
Under is 5-2 in Cubs last 7 games vs. a right-handed starter.
Over is 4-1 in Darvish’s last 5 starts with 4 days of rest.
Under is 4-1 in Darvish’s last 5 starts when their opponent allows 5 runs or more in their previous game.
Under is 4-1 in Darvish’s last 5 starts during game 2 of a series.
Under is 4-1 in the last 5 meetings in Chicago.
Diamondbacks are 1-5 in the last 6 meetings.
