Will offense be at a premium again in the May 20th Diamondbacks at Cubs betting matchup? Arizona took the series opener 3-1 on Thursday night as the teams combined for just 10 hits. It was a payback of sorts for the D’Backs, who ended a six game skid with the win – two of those losses came against Chicago at home last weekend.
Thursday’s defeat was a sour one for the Cubs, who have won three straight series’ up against the Padres, these Diamondbacks, and the Pirates. Chicago hopes that Kyle Hendricks can get them back on track for another series win, and the North Siders are -140 favorites in Friday afternoon’s tilt.
Arizona Tries to String Wins Together
The Diamondbacks are 19-21 to start the season which isn’t bad for a team that lost 110 games in 2021. Arizona looked like they were headed towards slipping back into their old ways with a season high six game losing streak, but Torey Lovullo hopes that the series opening win at Wrigley can be the building block for a strong weekend.
Daulton Varsho got the scoring started on Thursday night with a solo HR in the 4th, the only inning that either team plated runs in the series opener. Arizona was able to not waste 5.0 IP of 2-hit ball from Zac Gallen and now hope for a better outing against Hendricks, who the D’Backs managed just 1 run against over 5.2 IP in last Saturday’s 4-2 Cubs win.
Humberto Castellanos (2-1, 4.15 ERA) faces Chicago for the second straight time in the May 20th Diamondbacks at Cubs betting matchup. The right-hander gave up 2 ER over 5.1 IP last Sunday but took the no decision after Chicago broke a 2-2 tie in the top of the 9th to get the 3-2 win. Castellanos began the year as a reliever, but worked his way up to 92 pitches last time out.
Ride the Back of Hendricks
There’s a lot working against Chicago in this meeting, and it’s definitely not TGIF as the Cubs are just 4-17 in their last 21 Friday games. Chicago is 3-11 in their last 14 against teams with a losing record and have won just 14 of their last 51 home games.
What the Cubs do have going for them on Friday is that Hendricks (2-3, 4.03 ERA) is on the bump looking for a 3rd straight quality start. Hendricks was gassed and ended up missing a complete game shutout by 1 out after going 8.2 IP while giving up just 3 hits to the Padres on May 9th. He followed that 116 pitch outing up by going 5.2 IP against Arizona last Saturday allowing just 1 ER.
Chicago managed just 4 hits on Thursday night a day after losing 3-2 to the Pirates as -160 favorites on Wednesday. The Cubs had started off this home stand as gang busters in beating Pittsburgh by the combined score of 16-0 in two games, but that offense has gone into hibernation the last two.
Free May 20th Diamondbacks at Cubs Betting Preview
Hendricks has been great in his last two starts, but has had his share of rough outings this year giving up 6ER to Pittsburgh, another 6 to Milwaukee, and 4 to the White sox over his 8 starts this season. Even if Hendricks is great, this Cubs offense is hit or miss as well which puts the value on Arizona here.
Free Pick: Diamondbacks +120
