Arizona Diamondbacks @ Chicago Cubs
For our first write-up today, we have the second game of a three game series between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs were able to easily win yesterday’s game after a long rain delay, but a score of 8-1. Now the Cubs improve to 34-52 on the year, and believe it or not are on a two game winning streak and have won 7 of their last 10. Do not look now but the Cubs are actually playing good baseball! So far this season they are only 20-20 at home, but have been playing better recently. As for the Diamondbacks, it has not been a year to remember. They are only 42-44 up until this point and have dropped 7 of their last 10. They will have to play on the road here where they are only 19-23 so far this season. In today’s game, the Diamondbacks will have Joe Saunders on the mound, up against Ryan Dempster. Earlier in the season, Saunders got off to very good start and is now entering this game with a record of 4-5 and an ERA of 3.44. Now remember that he has been on the DL for the past month or so. His last start came on June 16th against the Angels. He allowed just two earned runs in six innings. Now although he was a very effective pitching prior to his injury, anytime you hear the phrase “elbow strain,” it is never good. Now historically Saunders has struggled against the Cubs. He has allowed 10 runs through 8.1 innings pitched in two starts. Now to counter that, it should be noted that the Cubs are only 8-18 against left handed pitchers (Saunders is a left handed pitcher). As for Ryan Dempster, he too has gone through a DL stint this season. Right now he is 4-3 with an 1.99 ERA on the season. Currently he is working on a 27 scoreless inning streak. The last time he gave up an earned run was back on May 30th against the Padres. During this stretch, he has shutout the Brewers, Twins, Red Sox, and Mets. Now one concerning statistic about Dempster is his track record against the Diamondbacks. In 19 appearances against them he has an ERA of 6.72 and is 2-8. As for the odds entering this game, the Cubs are coming in as the favorites at -120 over the Diamondbacks at +110.
Bottomline: To be honest I really like the Cubs here. There are just two things that do have me a little concerned. The first thing is the Cubs have struggled against left handed pitching, but I think that is countered because of the history that Saunders has against the Cubs. The second thing is the fact that Dempster has not played well against Arizona. I think you can counter that by saying he is on a 27 scoreless inning streak right now and has shutout lineups much better than the slumping Diamondbacks. I think Dempster is a legitimate pitcher and should be able to lead the Cubs to another victory.
My Pick: Chicago Cubs
Confidence: 4/5
If you enjoy reading my articles, be sure to checkout sftcpicks.com for all my daily articles and much more. I specialize in making Streak for the Cash picks, which is based off of a pick’em game on ESPN.com. Also, make sure you checkout my twitter page and follow me on twitter @MrFantasyGenius.
For our first write-up today, we have the second game of a three game series between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs were able to easily win yesterday’s game after a long rain delay, but a score of 8-1. Now the Cubs improve to 34-52 on the year, and believe it or not are on a two game winning streak and have won 7 of their last 10. Do not look now but the Cubs are actually playing good baseball! So far this season they are only 20-20 at home, but have been playing better recently. As for the Diamondbacks, it has not been a year to remember. They are only 42-44 up until this point and have dropped 7 of their last 10. They will have to play on the road here where they are only 19-23 so far this season. In today’s game, the Diamondbacks will have Joe Saunders on the mound, up against Ryan Dempster. Earlier in the season, Saunders got off to very good start and is now entering this game with a record of 4-5 and an ERA of 3.44. Now remember that he has been on the DL for the past month or so. His last start came on June 16th against the Angels. He allowed just two earned runs in six innings. Now although he was a very effective pitching prior to his injury, anytime you hear the phrase “elbow strain,” it is never good. Now historically Saunders has struggled against the Cubs. He has allowed 10 runs through 8.1 innings pitched in two starts. Now to counter that, it should be noted that the Cubs are only 8-18 against left handed pitchers (Saunders is a left handed pitcher). As for Ryan Dempster, he too has gone through a DL stint this season. Right now he is 4-3 with an 1.99 ERA on the season. Currently he is working on a 27 scoreless inning streak. The last time he gave up an earned run was back on May 30th against the Padres. During this stretch, he has shutout the Brewers, Twins, Red Sox, and Mets. Now one concerning statistic about Dempster is his track record against the Diamondbacks. In 19 appearances against them he has an ERA of 6.72 and is 2-8. As for the odds entering this game, the Cubs are coming in as the favorites at -120 over the Diamondbacks at +110.
Bottomline: To be honest I really like the Cubs here. There are just two things that do have me a little concerned. The first thing is the Cubs have struggled against left handed pitching, but I think that is countered because of the history that Saunders has against the Cubs. The second thing is the fact that Dempster has not played well against Arizona. I think you can counter that by saying he is on a 27 scoreless inning streak right now and has shutout lineups much better than the slumping Diamondbacks. I think Dempster is a legitimate pitcher and should be able to lead the Cubs to another victory.
My Pick: Chicago Cubs
Confidence: 4/5
If you enjoy reading my articles, be sure to checkout sftcpicks.com for all my daily articles and much more. I specialize in making Streak for the Cash picks, which is based off of a pick’em game on ESPN.com. Also, make sure you checkout my twitter page and follow me on twitter @MrFantasyGenius.
