MLB Predictions: Will Cubs hand D-Backs another loss in Arizona? 8/12/17
Will the Cubs hand the Diamondbacks another loss in Arizona when the two teams meet at 8:10PM ET?
The Matchup: Cubs vs. Diamondbacks, 8:10PM ET, Chase Field
Chicago enters play having dropped six of its last 10 games to fall to 60-54 on the year. The Cubs have played fairly well on the road this season, going 31-28 away from Wrigley Field.
Arizona, meanwhile, has dropped to 64-51 on the year following its loss to Chicago on Friday night. The Diamondbacks are still 37-21 at home this season, but are just 4-6 in their last 10 games overall.
According to oddsmakers, Chicago is a -111 money line favorite to beat Arizona on Saturday night. That makes the Diamondbacks +101 money line underdogs to pull off the upset. As for the total, the number sits at 9.5 runs.
The Pitching Matchup: Jon Lester (CHC) vs. Patrick Corbin (AZ)
Lester took another no-decision against the Nationals on August 6 but hasn’t lost a start since July 9. He went 6 2/3 innings against Washington, allowing three runs on six hits and striking out seven. He’s now 8-6 on the year and owns a 3.97 ERA.
As for Corbin, he’s lost back-to-back starts. In his last outing, Corbin allowed six runs (three earned) on seven hits over six innings versus the Giants in San Francisco. He struck out 10 and walked two in the loss. Corbin is now 8-11 on the year and owns a 4.76 ERA.
Our Prediction:
In Lester’s last five road starts, the Cubs are 5-0. They’re also 36-16 in his 52 starts overall, are 8-2 in his last 10 outings versus National League West opponents and are 6-1 in his last seven outings following a quality start in his last appearance.
On the other side, the Diamondbacks are just 1-5 in their last six games overall, are 2-7 in Corbin’s last nine starts, and are 1-4 in his last five outings versus National League Central opponents.
Saturday MLB Prediction: Chicago Cubs -125
