Apr 19, 2026; Phoenix, Arizona, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Ryne Nelson in the first inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images
Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

Diamondbacks vs Cubs Prediction 5/2/2026 Today’s MLB Picks

Pick details

MATCHUP Arizona Diamondbacks Chicago Cubs
Team Records 16-15 20-12
Spread +1.5 -163 -1.5 135
Moneyline +141 -171
Total Over 7.5 (102) Under 7.5 (-122)
Where Wrigley Field, Chicago, Illinois
When Saturday, May 2, 2026
Time 02:20 PM EDT
TV MLB.TV

In this article we will formulate a Diamondbacks vs Cubs prediction for this MLB game on Saturday, May 2nd at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois. Let’s take a look at the prediction for this MLB matchup. 

Arizona Diamondbacks Betting Preview

The Arizona Diamondbacks are 16-15 this season after they lost game one by a score of 6-5 on Friday afternoon. Arizona scored four runs in the sixth inning to cut the deficit to 6-5, but couldn’t find the tying run in the loss. The Diamondbacks recorded 11 hits in the game and they were led by Perdomo, who went 2-5 with one home run and three RBIs. Gallen allowed seven hits and six earned runs over 3.2 innings for the loss, while Garcia threw two scoreless innings in relief. Prior to this series, Arizona lost two out of three against the Brewers and split two games with the Padres. 

This season, Arizona has a 5.04 ERA with a 1.39 WHIP and a .259 opponent batting average, while they have scored 146 runs with a .251 batting average and a .308 on base percentage. Ildemaro Vargas has led the Diamondbacks with six home runs and 21 RBIs, while Corbin Carroll has added four home runs and 18 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Arizona is Ryne Nelson, who is 1-2 with a 7.71 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP over 25.2 innings pitched this season. 

Chicago Cubs Betting Preview

The Chicago Cubs are 20-12 this year after they won game one by a score of 6-5 on Friday afternoon. Chicago scored three runs in the first inning and three more in the fourth, but they nearly blew the lead in the sixth. The Cubs recorded eight hits and they committed one error in the game, while they were led by Busch, who went 2-4 with two RBIs. Rea allowed eight hits and two earned runs over 5.1 innings for the win, while Webb picked up the save. Prior to this series, Chicago won two out of three against the Padres, but lost two out of three against the Dodgers before that. 

This season, Chicago has a 4.01 ERA with a 1.20 WHIP and a .231 opponent batting average, while they have scored 175 runs with a .260 batting average and a .352 on base percentage. Nico Hoerner has led the Cubs with four home runs and 26 RBIs, while Dansby Swanson has added six home runs and 24 RBIs. The projected starting pitcher for Chicago is Shota Imanaga, who is 2-2 with a 3.15 ERA and a 0.87 WHIP over 34.1 innings pitched this year. 

Why the Chicago Cubs will win

  • The Cubs have won each of their last nine games at Wrigley Field.
  • The Diamondbacks have lost each of their last six day games against NL Central opponents following a road loss.
  • The Cubs have covered the run line in each of their last five games against National League opponents following a home win.
  • The Diamondbacks have trailed after 5 innings in eight of their last 10 road games against NL Central opponents.
  • The Cubs have led after 3 innings in each of their last five day games against the Diamondbacks.
  • The Cubs have won the first inning in each of their last three games against the Diamondbacks at Wrigley Field.

Why the Arizona Diamondbacks will win

  • The Cubs have lost seven of their last eight games as home favorites against the Diamondbacks following a home win.
  • The Diamondbacks have won four of their last five games as road underdogs following a loss.
  • The Diamondbacks have covered the run line in each of their last seven road games following a loss.
  • The Cubs have failed to cover the run line in seven of their last eight games as favorites against the Diamondbacks following a win.

Total Runs Facts

  • Nine of the Cubs’ last 10 games against National League opponents have gone OVER the total runs line.
  • Five of the Diamondbacks’ last six day games after playing the previous day have gone OVER the total runs line.
  • The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in six of the Diamondbacks’ last seven day games against NL Central opponents.
  • The ‘Inning 1 OVER 0.5 runs’ market has hit in each of the last three games between the Diamondbacks and Cubs.

Chicago Cubs Player Prop Facts

  • Shota Imanaga has recorded six or more strikeouts in three of his last four appearances.
  • Seiya Suzuki has hit a home run in three of the Cubs’ last four games at Wrigley Field.
  • Nico Hoerner has recorded at least one hit in each of the Cubs’ last 10 home games against opponents that held a winning record.

Arizona Diamondbacks Player Prop Facts

  • Ryne Nelson has recorded four or more strikeouts in each of his last four road appearances.
  • Ildemaro Vargas has hit at least one home run in three of the Diamondbacks’ last nine games.
  • Ildemaro Vargas has recorded at least one hit in each of his last 20 road appearances.

Diamondbacks vs Cubs Prediction 

Chicago was able to get the win on Friday to start this series and they have won three games in a row. The Cubs are 12-5 at home this year, while the Diamondbacks are 7-9 on the road. Arizona has lost three of their last four games and they have allowed 32 runs in those three losses. Arizona is going with Nelson, who has allowed 14 earned runs over his last two starts, while Imanaga has allowed one earned run or fewer in four of his last five starts. Take the Cubs -1.5 here.

David Racey's Pick: Cubs -1.5

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