Chicago Cubs vs Arizona Diamondbacks Prediction 9-8-23 MLB Picks
The Arizona Diamondbacks and the Chicago Cubs meet Friday in MLB action from Wrigley Field. This will be the second installment in a four-game weekend series. In the Thursday opener, the Diamondbacks posted a four-run victory. Check back all season long for free MLB picks at Sports Chat Place.
Arizona Diamondbacks
The Diamondbacks took on the Rockies this week, splitting the first pair of games. In the Wednesday rubber match, Arizona powered out a win 12-5 to take the series. On Thursday versus the Cubs, the Diamondbacks got two homers and three RBI from Tommy Pham in a 6-2 victory. Ketel Marte added three RBI, two runs and a homer as well.
In the starter role for the Friday game, the Diamondbacks will send out Zac Gallen. This year in 29 starts Gallen is 14-7 with a 3.48 ERA and 186 strikeouts over 178.2 innings. Gallen is 3-2 with a 3.86 ERA in his last seven starts.
Chicago Cubs
Over on the Cubs’ side, they played the Giants this week and bagged wins 5-0 and 11-8 in the first pair. On Wednesday Chicago managed an 8-2 victory for the sweep. In the game one matchup versus Arizona, the Cubs weren’t very sharp on five team hits. Dansby Swanson and Jeimer Candelario each had an RBI in the defeat.
Jameson Taillon will take the mound for the Cubs in Friday’s matchup. Over his 25 starts this year Taillon is 7-9 with a 5.73 ERA and 113 Ks in 127.1 innings. Taillon is 2-3 with a 6.34 ERA in his last seven starts.
ANDREW’S FREE PICK
I’ll take a stab on the Diamondbacks here. Most of that is due to Taillon’s recent struggles, though. Over his last three starts combined Taillon is 0-1 with 13 earned runs in 17.1 innings of work on 20 hits and one walk. Arizona should have some early opportunities to plate a few runs if Taillon can’t get it together. In Thursday’s game the Diamondbacks got a nice well-rounded effort from both sides. The offense was hitting well, and outside of a trouble spot or two the bullpen performed well also. I like Arizona to keep it up in game two.
