Chicago Cubs vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Prediction: Should You Fade Jameson Taillon, Cubs?
The Chicago Cubs and the Arizona Diamondbacks kick off Friday's MLB slate with an afternoon game. Should you fade Jameson Taillon and the Cubs? Matt McCuen answers.
Matt McCuen - September 8, 2023, 9:06 AM EDT
5 minChicago Cubs vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Prediction: Should You Fade Jameson Taillon, Cubs?
The Arizona Diamondbacks and the Chicago Cubs will clash from Wrigley Field on Friday afternoon for a pivotal National League series game.
Cubs vs. Diamondbacks Date, Time, and Where to Watch
- Date: September 8, 2023
- Time: 2:20 pm ET
- Where to Watch: MLB.TV
Chicago Cubs vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Prediction
Arizona enters the game, supporting an overall record of 73-68 on the season.
The D-Backs will begin play 0.5 games ahead of the Marlins for the final wildcard spot and two and a half games behind the Cubs for the second wildcard spot.
The D-Backs had a great first half of the season, as they were sitting in first place in the NL West at the all-star break. Fast forward to early September, and the D-Backs trail the Los Angeles Dodgers by thirteen games in the division.
Rookie Corbin Carroll has been the star of this D-Backs team. Carroll ranks second on the team in batting average (.280) and third on the team in hits (136.) Carroll leads the team in stolen bases (41).
Ketel Marte has delivered a strong season for the Snakes. Marte leads the team in total hits (140) while blasting twenty-one home runs and seventy runs batted in.
First baseman Christain Walker is the best power source for the D-Backs. Walker leads the team in home runs (30) and runs batted in (91).
Zac Gallen will toe the rubber for Arizona today. Gallen leads the team in wins with fourteen while supporting an ERA of 3.48.
Chicago has been one of the hottest teams in all of baseball. Since the All-Star Break, Chicago is tied with the Baltimore Orioles for the most wins in baseball with 34. Overall, the Cubs have a record of 34-18 since the break.
Cody Bellinger has been the star of this Cubs team. Bellinger leads the Cubs in batting average (.320), home runs (24), runs batted in (86), and OBP (.365).
Second Baseman Nico Horner leads the Cubs in hits with 153.
Seiya Suzuki has been the hottest bat in the Cubs lineup as of late. Suzuki set the tone yesterday in the Cubs' win over the San Francisco Giants with a three RBI double with two outs in the first inning. Suzuki is now batting .275 on the year with 58 runs batted in.
Jameson Taillon will get the rock today for the Cubs. Taillon has struggled at times this season and will enter play representing a record of 7-9 and an ERA of 5.73
Chicago Cubs vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Pick
Gallen is the stronger arm in this matchup, making this play a no-brainer.
Gallen has struggled in his last two starts, allowing eleven runs over his last two starts, but this is the perfect bounce-back spot. Why is that?
Because Gallen dominates this current Chicago lineup, in 50-lifetime at-bats, Chicago has just four hits versus Gallen, which is an average of .120.
Taillon has been a great fade all season long, in particular at home. Taillon has an ERA of 5.86 at Wrigley and a record of 3-6. His struggles will continue this afternoon.
Pick: Arizona Diamondbacks F5 ML -110 is currently the best odds. Click here to see which sportsbook has the best odds
MLB Odds
