Chicago Cubs (75-56) at Arizona Diamondbacks (69-59) | Monday, August 24, 2026 | 8:40 PM CT | Chase Field, Phoenix, AZ
If there was any doubt about how this Cubs team would respond after two tough one-run losses in Seattle, Sunday erased it completely. Chicago exploded for a 19-2 win in the series finale, turning what looked like a possible sweep into a statement victory heading into the desert. As a Cubs fan, thatโs exactly the kind of response I wanted to see, and now Kevin Gausman gets the ball tonight against a genuinely solid Arizona team looking to keep that offensive momentum rolling.
Hereโs the full breakdown of tonightโs series opener at Chase Field: pitching probables, odds, and my final prediction.
Game Info: Cubs vs. Diamondbacks
- Date: Monday, August 24, 2026
- First Pitch: 9:40 PM ET
- Venue: Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona
- TV/Streaming: Dbacks.TV, Marquee Sports Network
- Series: First of a three-game set to open a road trip
The Backdrop: Two Legitimately Good Teams Meeting in the Desert
This isnโt a soft landing spot for Chicago after that dominant Sunday performance. Arizona sits at 69-59 and has been one of the more successful teams in baseball when favored, winning close to 60% of its games as the moneyline favorite this season. The Diamondbacks have real quality up and down their roster, and Chase Field has historically been one of the more offense-friendly parks in the league, which should make for an entertaining series regardless of who comes out on top.
Chicago, at 75-56, remains firmly positioned in the NL playoff race and has been excellent as the favorite as well, winning better than 57% of games when expected to win. Whatโs more encouraging for Cubs fans is how well this team has performed even as an underdog โ Chicago has won over 57% of its games when entering as the moneyline underdog this season, a sign of real depth and resilience up and down the roster.
Probable Pitchers
Chicago Cubs: Kevin Gausman
Gausman continues to settle into life in a Cubs uniform, and after Sundayโs offensive outburst, heโll have plenty of confidence behind him tonight. Heโs shown the ability to give Chicago length in his outings, and against a talented Arizona lineup, keeping the ball in the park and avoiding the big inning will be the priority.
Arizona Diamondbacks: Merrill Kelly
Kelly has been a steady, professional presence at the front of Arizonaโs rotation for years, and heโs exactly the kind of veteran arm capable of slowing down a hot Cubs offense. He knows how to work through a lineup and limit damage, which makes tonight a real measuring-stick start for whether Chicagoโs bats can carry Sundayโs momentum into a tougher pitching matchup.
Betting Odds for Cubs vs. Diamondbacks
- Moneyline: Expect a competitive number given both clubsโ strong track records as favorites this season
- Total: Chase Field has historically played as one of the more hitter-friendly environments in baseball, and a series between two above-average offenses tends to push totals toward the higher end
Both of these teams have been excellent when theyโve been the betting favorite this season, which makes tonightโs line-setting a genuinely tricky proposition for oddsmakers. Whichever side ends up favored, donโt expect a wide gap given how evenly matched these two clubs have been in 2026.
Key Storylines to Watch
Can Chicago carry Sundayโs offensive explosion into the desert? A 19-run outburst is the kind of game that can either be a blip or a sign of a lineup finding its rhythm at the perfect time. Facing a tougher arm in Merrill Kelly tonight is a good early test of which one it turns out to be.
Pete Crow-Armstrong remains the engine of this offense. Heโs been one of the best all-around players in baseball all season, and Chase Fieldโs dimensions have historically been kind to hitters with his kind of power and speed combination.
Arizonaโs own offense is a real threat. The Diamondbacks have shown they can match Chicagoโs lineup blow for blow, and Kevin Gausman will need to be sharp early to avoid letting this game get away in a hitter-friendly ballpark.
A series with real playoff stakes for both sides. Neither club is playing out the string here, and with both teams performing well above .500 as favorites, this has the makings of a genuinely competitive series from top to bottom.
Prediction: Cubs vs. Diamondbacks
I like Chicagoโs chances to carry some of Sundayโs momentum into tonight, even against a tougher arm in Merrill Kelly. This offense has proven all year that it can put up runs against good and bad pitching alike, and Arizonaโs own bats mean this has the potential to be a high-scoring, entertaining opener. I think Chicagoโs recent form and overall depth give the Cubs a slight edge.
As a Cubs fan, Iโm feeling good after Sunday. Give me Chicago opening this series with a win in a back-and-forth affair.
Final Score Prediction: Chicago Cubs 6, Arizona Diamondbacks 5
Odds, probable pitchers, and injury statuses are subject to change ahead of first pitch โ always confirm the latest lineups and lines before placing any wagers. This article is for informational and entertainment purposes only.
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