Arizona Diamondbacks (16-16) at Chicago Cubs (21-12) | Wrigley Field | 1:20 PM CT / 2:20 PM ET
The Chicago Cubs (21–12 after shutting out the D-Backs 2–0 yesterday) host the Arizona Diamondbacks (16–16 on a THREE-game losing streak) for the series finale at Wrigley Field. We’re on a FOUR-GAME WIN STREAK and have won TEN STRAIGHT AT HOME! Ian Happ went WILD (HR, 2B, 3B). Matthew Boyd (1-1, 7.00 ERA) starts against Merrill Kelly (0-3, 9.31 ERA).
This is the series finale—can we SWEEP them at home and make it ELEVEN STRAIGHT at Wrigley?
Cubs Season: 21-12 on a FOUR-Game Win Streak!
Record: 21-12 (Nine Games Over .500, FOUR-Game Win Streak, TEN STRAIGHT HOME WINS!)
We’re 21–12 and NINE GAMES OVER .500 on a FOUR-GAME WIN STREAK after yesterday’s DOMINANT 2–0 shutout of the D-Backs! Shota Imanaga was BRILLIANT (7 scoreless IP). Ian Happ had a HR, 2B, and 3B (scored both runs!). We’ve won TEN CONSECUTIVE GAMES at Wrigley Field!
Yesterday’s Shutout Win (2–0):
- Won 2–0 (second shutout of season!)
- Shota Imanaga: 7 scoreless IP, 5 Ks (3-2 record!)
- Ian Happ: HR, 2B, 3B, scored BOTH runs
- 23-game on-base streak for Happ
- TEN STRAIGHT WINS at Wrigley Field!
FOUR-Game Win Streak:
- Won series 2-1 in San Diego
- Beat D-Backs 6-5 Friday (Busch 2-run single)
- Shut out D-Backs 2-0 Saturday (Imanaga gem!)
- Won 14 of last 17 games overall
- TEN consecutive home wins (longest since 2016!)
Key Stats:
- 41 home runs (4th in MLB!)
- .261 batting average (4th in MLB)
- 5.3 runs per game (5th in MLB)
- TEN STRAIGHT at Wrigley (first place in NL Central!)
Matthew Boyd Tonight:
- 1-1, 7.00 ERA (struggling this year)
- Dealt with biceps strain in April
- Needs to give us length vs weak D-Backs lineup
We’ve won TEN STRAIGHT at home! Now go for the SWEEP!
Arizona Diamondbacks: 16-16 on a THREE-Game Losing Streak
The D-Backs are 16–16 (back to .500) on a THREE-GAME LOSING STREAK after we shut them out 2–0 yesterday. They’ve lost 3 of their last 4 games at Wrigley.
D-Backs After Yesterday:
- Lost 2–0 (shut out, THREE-game losing streak)
- Ildemaro Vargas’ 24-game hitting streak ENDED
- Back to .500 (16-16) after hot start
- Desperate to avoid the SWEEP
Merrill Kelly Starting:
- 0-3, 9.31 ERA (BRUTAL start to season!)
- Walked 5 batters in 5 IP last start
- Worst starter in baseball through 5 weeks
- VERY exploitable for our hot offense
D-Backs Key Players:
- Ildemaro Vargas: .404 average (MLB lead, but streak ended)
- Corbin Carroll: .968 OPS (playing well)
- Ketel Marte: .682 OPS (struggling)
What We’re Facing:
- D-Backs back at .500 (16-16)
- Kelly has a 9.31 ERA (worst in MLB!)
- THREE-game losing streak
- Trying to avoid the SWEEP at Wrigley
The D-Backs are STRUGGLING and Kelly has a 9.31 ERA! We can SWEEP them!
Key Matchups at Wrigley Field
Matthew Boyd (7.00 ERA) vs D-Backs Lineup
Boyd has struggled (7.00 ERA) but the D-Backs have lost THREE STRAIGHT. Give us 5-6 innings.
Cubs Offense vs Merrill Kelly (9.31 ERA)
Kelly has a 9.31 ERA—worst starter in baseball! ATTACK HIM early and often!
Ian Happ vs D-Backs Pitching
Happ went HR-2B-3B yesterday (scored both runs!). 23-game on-base streak. Stay red hot!
TEN-Game Home Win Streak
We’ve won TEN STRAIGHT at Wrigley Field. Protect home turf and make it ELEVEN!
What the Cubs Need in the Series Finale
Matthew Boyd Gives Us Length
Our bullpen is taxed. Boyd needs 5-6 innings to give them rest heading into the week.
Offense ATTACKS Kelly’s 9.31 ERA
Kelly is 0-3 with a 9.31 ERA—worst in baseball! Jump on him early like we did to Nelson yesterday!
Ian Happ Stays Hot
HR, 2B, 3B yesterday. 23-game on-base streak. Keep the hot streak going at home!
SWEEP Them at Wrigley
TEN straight home wins. Beat them today and SWEEP the series! ELEVEN IN A ROW at home!
Cubs Fan Prediction: SWEEP and ELEVEN IN A ROW!
Final Score: Cubs 8, D-Backs 5
Matthew Boyd battles—5 innings, 5 runs. Not great but gives the bullpen some rest.
We ATTACK Kelly’s 9.31 ERA for 8 runs. Michael Busch stays hot. Ian Happ reaches base again. We DOMINATE early.
The D-Backs score 5 but their three-game losing streak becomes FOUR.
Three-run win. We’re 22–12, TEN GAMES OVER .500. FIVE-GAME WIN STREAK. SWEEP THE D-BACKS. ELEVEN STRAIGHT WINS at Wrigley Field!
Why the Series Finale Matters
We’re 21–12 after shutting out the D-Backs 2–0 yesterday. Imanaga was brilliant. Happ went HR-2B-3B. We’re on a FOUR-GAME WIN STREAK and have won TEN STRAIGHT at Wrigley. The D-Backs are 16–16 on a THREE-GAME LOSING STREAK.
Win today and we’re 22–12, TEN GAMES OVER .500 with a FIVE-GAME WIN STREAK. SWEEP THE SERIES and make it ELEVEN CONSECUTIVE WINS at Wrigley Field!
Can we attack Kelly’s 9.31 ERA? Will Happ extend his on-base streak? Can we make it ELEVEN STRAIGHT at home?
We went 78–84 last year. Going 22–12 with ELEVEN STRAIGHT at Wrigley and a SWEEP would be PHENOMENAL.
Go Cubs Go. SWEEP the D-Backs and make it ELEVEN IN A ROW at Wrigley!
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