Chiefs vs. Lions: A Tale of Two Preseason
Game Info: August 17, 2024 1:00PM ET @ Arrowhead Stadium, Kansas City, Missouri Even though…
The betting lines appear to reflect the home crowd advantage as the Diamondbacks are starting as slight favorites:
The Cubs (47–51) are an inconsistent team. Thought to be a strength at the start of the season, their starting pitching staff has occasionally faltered. For Chicago, Justin Steele, a young lefty with a promising 4. 23 ERA takes the mound. But against the power-hitting Diamondbacks lineup, his propensity to give up home runs (1. 04 per nine innings) might be a problem.
The Cubs offensive line-up of Nico Hoerner and Jonathan LaRoche (.298 AVG, 15 HR) and Seiya Suzuki (. 282 AVG, 22 HR) to support the weight. Sadly, reliable output has proven difficult to come by after these two bats. In a close game like this, the Cubs will need to maximize their scoring opportunities because one lost baserunner could mean the difference between winning and losing.
The Diamondbacks (49-48) clinging to dwindling playoff hopes really need to catch up to the St. Louis Cardinals in the National League West. Their greatest asset is their explosive offense which is led by the dynamic duo of Ketel Marte (. 57 RBI, 19 HR, 292 AVG) and Christian Walker (. 278 AVG, 28 HR, 72 RBI). Arizona has been a constant offensive threat because opposing pitchers have found it difficult to contain them.
There is still mystery surrounding Arizona’s starting pitcher which heightens the interest in the game. Their pitching staff has had ups and downs with periods of dominance interspersed with inconsistent performances. For the Diamondbacks to succeed, stopping the Cubs best hitters and limiting baserunners will be essential. When predicting the Cubs at Diamondbacks, one important thing to keep in mind is the offense of Arizona against Steele.
This July 20th game is made even more intriguing by the past between these two teams. Although the Cubs prevailed 2-1 in the season series against the Diamondbacks in 2023, Arizona has taken the first two of their three meetings this year. The lack of familiarity between teams makes interdivisional matchups unpredictable which is why baseball fans will find this Cubs vs. Diamondbacks game even more exciting.
On a per-game basis, both teams are in the lower half of the National League. A possible offensive slugfest is suggested by this trend and the presence of power hitters on both teams. That being said, the success of the bullpens could also determine the result. The team that controls its bullpen better may have the advantage because both the Cubs and the Diamondbacks have had periods of time when their relievers struggled.
The Cubs vs. Diamondbacks game is a close one. The Cubs pitching staff could surprise people especially if Steele can limit home run balls. However, the Diamondbacks have a slight advantage at home due to their strong offense. Whoever plays the fundamentals better—executing routine plays converting on scoring opportunities and avoiding baserunning errors—will probably win.
The Cubs desire to remain relevant should not be undervalued even though the Diamondbacks are the bookies’ favorite. Theres a chance that this game will come down to the very last minute. Expect both teams to give it their all in a fight for National League relevance given the enormous stakes involved.
Prediction: Arizona Diamondbacks 6, Chicago Cubs 5