Arizona @ Chicago preview

Arizona at Chi. Cubs

Last Meeting ( Mar 15, 2018 ) Arizona 3, Chi. Cubs 2

Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon might have found a way to get slugging first baseman Anthony Rizzo going at the plate – put him in the leadoff spot. Rizzo hopes to continue his hot streak at the top of the batting order when the Cubs open their four-game series against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday.

Rizzo had a disappointing first half at the plate, but he reached base in 17 of his 23 plate appearances while helping the Cubs take three of five from visiting St. Louis over the weekend. Chicago’s lead in the National League Central is up to 3 1/2 games over Milwaukee. The Diamondbacks snapped their three-game skid with a 6-1 victory over visiting Colorado on Sunday, keeping them within 1 1/2 games of the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West. The Cubs have won eight straight home series and 12 of their last 15 contests at Wrigley Field.

TV: 8:05 p.m. ET, ESPN, FS Arizona, NBCS Chicago

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks LH Patrick Corbin (6-4, 3.24 ERA) vs. Cubs RH Luke Farrell (3-3, 3.86)

Corbin earned his second career All-Star selection but was winless in his last seven starts before the break. The 29-year-old registered three quality starts over that stretch, but Arizona scored fewer than three runs in four of his outings. Corbin is 4-1 with a 4.25 ERA in six career games (five starts) against the Cubs.

Farrell will make his third major-league start and second this season after allowing three runs over 2 2/3 innings in a loss at Cincinnati on June 23. The 27-year-old hasn’t allowed a run in 5 1/3 frames over his last four relief appearances. Farrell went 0-2 with a 4.39 ERA in six starts at Triple-A Iowa this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Rizzo is Chicago's first leadoff hitter to reach base at least four times in three consecutive games since Brian McRae in 1996.

2. Diamondbacks RF Steven Souza Jr. has gone 10-for-27 with four doubles and four RBIs in his last eight games to lift his average from .148 to .216.

3. Cubs C Willson Contreras has gone 15-for-33 while hitting safely in nine straight home contests.

PREDICTION: Diamondbacks 6, Cubs 4