Chicago @ Arizona preview
Chase Field
Last Meeting ( Jul 26, 2018 ) Arizona 6, Chi. Cubs 7
The Chicago Cubs hope a trip to the desert might help jump-start their struggling offense. The Cubs look to get their bats going for the final stretch when they open a three-game road series against the sliding Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday.
The Cubs had their three-game winning streak snapped with a 2-1 loss to Cincinnati on Sunday but maintained their 2 1/2-game lead over Milwaukee in the National League Central. Chicago has totaled only 15 runs in its last seven contests but has managed to go 4-3 over that stretch thanks to strong pitching. The Diamondbacks continued their September swoon with a 5-4 loss at Houston on Sunday, dropping them to 4-11 this month. Arizona fell 4 1/2 games behind first-place Colorado in the NL West and are four back in the race for the second wild-card spot.
TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, WGN (Chicago), FS Arizona
PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs RH Kyle Hendricks (11-11, 3.71 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks LH Patrick Corbin (11-5, 3.05)
Hendricks has allowed fewer than three earned runs in five consecutive outings, going 2-2 with a 1.80 ERA over that span. The 28-year-old suffered a tough-luck loss last time out after giving up two runs over five frames in a 5-1 defeat against the Brewers. Hendricks is 1-1 with a 3.24 ERA in three career starts against the Diamondbacks but won his only previous turn in Arizona.
Corbin has posted quality starts in seven of his eight outings since the beginning of August, posting a 2.49 ERA during that stretch. The 29-year-old gave up 10 hits but limited the damage to three runs over 6 1/3 innings in a no-decision at Colorado on Wednesday. Corbin is 5-1 with a 3.68 ERA in seven career games (six starts) against the Cubs.
WALK-OFFS
1. Cubs C Willson Contreras doubled as a pinch-hitter on Sunday for only his second extra-base hit in his last 13 games (nine starts).
2. The Diamondbacks, whose 68 errors are the third-fewest in the NL, have committed 13 in their last 15 contests.
3. Chicago OF Kyle Schwarber (back) will not make the trip to Arizona with the team set to face two left-handed starters.
PREDICTION: Cubs 4, Diamondbacks 3