The Chicago Cubs look to come out of the All-Star Break hot as they host the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday with their ace pitcher Justin Steele getting the start.
Arizona Diamondbacks (-120, 7.5) vs. Chicago Cubs
Steele was an All-Star in 2023, but not this season after missing more than a month of the season due to injury, but is making up for lost time with a 2.71 ERA this season and in peak form.
In his past nine starts, Steele has allowed just 10 earned runs, issuing 1.8 walks per nine innings with a 1.48 ERA with three earned runs or fewer allowed in every start.
The Diamondbacks counter with Ryne Nelson getting the start on the mound, who has struggled to a 4.98 ERA with only six strikeouts per nine innings and has allowed at least three earned runs in nine of his 17 pitching appearances this season.
Neither pitcher is backed by a great bullpen with the Diamondbacks ranked 22nd in the league with a 4.30 ERA and the Cubs’ 4.91 bullpen ERA ranks 16th.
The Diamondbacks lineup generated more runs than to the Cubs with Arizona leading the National League with nearly five runs per game compared to the Cubs’ 4.2 runs per game, which was 19th among the 30 MLB teams.
The Cubs have been a much better team at Wrigley Field this season, posting a 25-21 home record compared to a 22-30 road record and will come out of the All-Star Break on Friday with a win.
The Play: Cubs +100
See which team DraftKings bettors are backing.
