Offenses Will No-Show In Cubs Vs Diamondbacks

Cubs vs. Diamondbacks, 9:40 ET

3-1 on the weekend? I'll take it. We weren't close to a 4-0 weekend though as the one loss was an embarrassment. However, I always prefer to lose like that than losing a close game. Typically, I feel like if I am completely off with my play it is more of an exception than the rule (with maybe the exception of how this hockey season went this year). Today, I want to try and extend the good vibes between two teams I've been locked in on most of the past two seasons. The Cubs head to Arizona to take on the Diamondbacks and we will put a play on this game. 

The Cubs had a nice weekend themselves as they took two out of three games from the Mariners. They have a nice 9-6 record in the early going of the season, but let's not mistake this team for a juggernaut. To their credit, however, they doing this with some injuries to their pitching staff. Justin Steele was hurt on Opening Day and probably will remain sidelined until May. The team is hitting fairly well right now, or at least getting timely hitting at the moment. As a team, they are hitting .241 as a team, but about 15% of their hits have cleared the fence which could be a bit of an issue long term as you never want to see a team live by the long ball because that means they will die by it as well. Today, they have Ben Brown taking the bump. Brown was thrust into the starting pitching role because of the injuries and he has done an admirable job in the two starts. After allowing six earned runs in 1.2 innings in his first appearance this season, he has gone eight innings over his last two outings and allowed just one earned run. It is too early to tell if this is the norm for Brown, but if he can keep rolling like he is right now, the Cubs might need to extend his opportunities.

Sep 17, 2023; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Chicago Cubs outfielder Cody Bellinger (24) reacts at first base in the second inning against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Allan Henry-USA TODAY Sports

Arizona might look like they have a bit of a World Series hangover, but they are 8-8 now and just did the Cubs a favor by beating the Cardinals in two of their three games. The Diamondbacks are also playing pretty good baseball right now with four wins in their past five contests. It is fairly surprising that the Diamondbacks don't have a better record considering they are hitting .261 as a team and have 143 hits as a team. That means that they are averaging nine hits per game. I suppose that this early in the season, one very good game could skew the stats. The pitching staff is even looking pretty good with a 3.84 ERA, and a 1.26 WHIP. It isn't spotless or anything, but if the Diamondbacks carry this out through the entire season, I have to imagine they will have a significantly better than .500 record. Tonight, they have one of their stud pitchers, Merrill Kelly taking the bump. Kelly has been great so far early in the season with three consecutive quality starts. To just show a bit of perspective here, he did get to face the Rockies twice, but once was in Coors Field. Either way, he's gone at least six innings in all three starts and has allowed two or fewer runs in each of the starts. He also hasn't thrown 100 pitches yet this season. Cubs hitters have gone 15-for-76 against Kelly with Cody Bellinger having the most success and experience. 

The total on this game seems a bit high at 9 runs. I know it opened at 8.5 so perhaps it was pushed a bit higher. I still think 8.5 is a bit too high. Kelly probably will allow two or fewer earned runs and Brown has pitched well lately. I think the best idea here is to play the under for the game. Both offenses have looked pretty good overall, but the Cubs certainly will have a tough time tonight and the Diamondbacks might as well. Back the under 9 in this one. 

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