Cubs at Diamondbacks Prediction - MLB Picks 9/15/23

Arizona Diamondbacks (76-72) vs Chicago Cubs (78-69)

Game Info: Friday, September 15, 2023 at 9:40 pm (Chase Field)

Brandon Pfaadt (1-8) (6.25) vs Justin Steele (16-3) (2.83)

Betting Odds: Arizona Diamondbacks +106 / Chicago Cubs -125 --- Over/Under: 8.5 Click Here for the Latest Odds

The Chicago Cubs will head to Phoenix to begin a weekend series with the Arizona Diamondbacks this Friday from Chase Field.

Cubs Preview & Projected Starter

Chicago comes in at 78-68 after dropping two of three to Colorado. The Chicago offense is scoring 4.12 runs per game, while batting .243, with a .323 on-base percentage. The pitching staff carries a 4.18 ERA, with a 1.28 WHIP.

Justin Steele (16-3, 2.49 ERA, 159 Ks) will get the call for Chicago. The third-year lefty continues to improve his case for Cy Young after delivering another strong effort against Arizona last time out, tossing seven innings of one-run ball. Steele hasn’t taken a loss in his last ten starts, and he’ll look to put on a show for fellow Cy Young hopeful Zac Gallen in the desert this Friday.

Cubs Player Trends & Props

Cody Bellinger has totaled multiple bases in three of his last four games, and he’s leading the Cubs in batting (.317), home runs (25) and RBI (89).

Dansby Swanson has multiple hits in four straight games, and he’s posting splits of .254/20/73.

Nico Hoerner brings an eight-game hit streak into this contest, and he leads Chicago in hits (159), with RBI (62).

Christopher Morel has homered in two of the last three games, and he’s up to 22 homers and 66 RBI for the season.

Diamondbacks Preview & Projected Starter

Arizona enters at 76-72 after dropping three of four to New York. The Arizona offense is scoring 4.34 runs per game, while batting .257, with a .326 on-base percentage. The pitching staff carries a 4.41 ERA, with a 1.34 WHIP.

Brandon Pfaadt (1-8, 6.25 ERA, 72 Ks) will get the ball for Arizona. The rookie pitcher struggled a bit at Wrigley last time out, allowing four runs thru six innings en route to a DBacks loss. Pfaadt avoided a third straight losing decision, but he’s endured a rough intro season into the majors, and he’ll seek different results here at home against the Cubs.

DBacks Player Trends & Props

Christian Walker went hitless in three games at Wrigley last week, but he’s still Arizona’s leader in home runs (30) and RBI (91).

Ketel Marte has collected a hit in eight of the last nine games,, and he’s first on the team in hits (141), with 22 homers and 73 runs batted in.

Corbin Carroll recorded multiple hits in three of four games against Chicago, and he’s leading the DBacks in batting (.284), with 24 home runs and 69 RBI.

Lourdes Gurriel Jr. has totaled multiple bases in seven of the last ten contests, and he’s posting splits of .257/23/73.

Corey’s Free Pick

Arizona suffered an untimely series loss in Queens this week, and while they will bounce back at some point this weekend, I don’t think it happens against Justin Steele. The Cubs ace still has a real shot at the NL Cy Young Award, and if he keeps at this pace, he may just win the whole thing. Tack on Steele taking the mound in front of Zac Gallen, a fellow candidate, and there’s a good chance he delivers another gem here. Massive pitching advantage in the Cubs favor here, as their bats should also be able to find production off of Brandon Pfaadt. Back Chicago for game one this Friday.