Arizona Diamondbacks at Chicago Cubs odds, picks and predictions

The Arizona Diamondbacks (49-48) and Chicago Cubs (47-51) return from the All-Star break to open a 3-game series Friday. First pitch from Wrigley Field is set for 2:20 p.m. ET (MLB Network). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s lines around the Diamondbacks vs. Cubs odds and make our expert MLB picks and predictions for the best bets.

Season series: Chicago leads 2-1

Arizona lost 8-7 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays Sunday while failing to cover as a -145 home favorite. The loss ended a 4-game winning streak for the D-backs, who have scored at least 5 runs in 3 straight outings.

Chicago picked up an 8-3 win over the St. Louis Cardinals Sunday as a +111 road underdog after back-to-back losses. The Cubs return home for the 1st time since July 7 (covering 7 games).

Diamondbacks at Cubs projected starters

RHP Ryne Nelson vs. LHP Justin Steele

Nelson (6-6, 4.98 ERA) makes his 16th start. He has a 1.42 WHIP, 2.1 BB/9 and 6.1 K/9 in 86 2/3 IP.

• Last start: No-decision, 7 IP, 3 ER, 5 H, 0 BB, 5 K in a 5-4 win over Toronto Blue Jays Friday
• Career vs. Cubs: 1-0, 3.00 ERA (9 IP, 3 ER), 6 H, 5 BB, 6 K in 2 starts

Steele (2-3, 2.71 ERA) makes his 15th start. He has a 0.95 WHIP, 1.9 BB/9 and 8.4 K/9 in 86 1/3 IP.

• Last start: Win, 7 IP, 0 ER, 3 H, 0 BB, 4 K in an 8-0 win at Baltimore Orioles on July 11
• Career vs. Arizona: 0-1, 3.00 ERA (24 IP, 8 ER), 17 H, 6 BB, 30 K in 4 starts

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Diamondbacks at Cubs odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook ; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 6:55 a.m. ET.

• Moneyline (ML) : Diamondbacks -115 (bet $115 to win $100) | Cubs -105 (bet $105 to win $100)
• Run line (RL)/Against the spread (ATS) : Diamondbacks -1.5 (+155) | Cubs +1.5 (-190)
• Over/Under (O/U) : 7.5 (O: +100 | U: -120)

Diamondbacks at Cubs picks and predictions

Prediction

Diamondbacks 2, Cubs 1

Moneyline

LEAN DIAMONDBACKS (-115) .

Arizona has won back-to-back road outings and is 6-3 in its last 9 overall. The Diamondbacks are also 3-1 in the last 4 meetings between these squads in Chicago and 7-3 in the last 10 meetings.

This is only a lean because the Cubs are 2-1 in their last 3 at home and 7-3 in their last 10 overall.

Run line/Against the spread

PASS .

I expect the Cubs to cover here as +1.5 (-190) underdogs, but they are not worth the risk of betting on here. Bet on the moneyline and/or total instead.

Over/Under

BET UNDER 7.5 (-120) .

The Under has hit in each of Chicago’s last 3 home games and is 6-4 in its last 10 overall. The Under has also hit in each of the last 4 Arizona-Chicago meetings in the Windy City, and being 7-3 in the last 10 matchups.

Be aware that the Over is 8-1-1 in Arizona’s last 10 games.

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