Chicago @ Arizona preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 18, 2018 ) Chi. Cubs 9, Arizona 1

The Chicago Cubs look to complete a three-game sweep and win for the sixth time in seven contests when they visit the Arizona Diamondbacks on Wednesday for the series finale. Chicago delivered a 9-1 thumping on Tuesday and won the first two games by a cumulative 14-2 score.

Javier Baez and Daniel Murphy each drilled two-run homers and Anthony Rizzo also drove in two runs as the Cubs increased their lead over Milwaukee in the National League Central to 3 1/2 games. Murphy, who is batting just .220 this month, scored three runs on Tuesday after failing to touch home plate in his previous eight contests. Arizona is rapidly falling out of postseason contention with four straight setbacks and 14 in its last 18 games. The Diamondbacks are six games behind both the first-place Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West and St. Louis for the second wild-card berth.

TV: 9:40 p.m. ET, NBCS Chicago, FS Arizona

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Cole Hamels (9-9, 3.67 ERA) vs. Diamondbacks LH Robbie Ray (5-2, 4.14)

Hamels is 4-0 with a 1.57 ERA in nine starts since being acquired from Texas. The 34-year-old hasn't received a decision in his last four outings despite posting a 2.70 ERA and 25 strikeouts in 23 innings during that stretch. Hamels is 4-2 with a 3.47 ERA in nine career starts against the Diamondbacks and has shut down Paul Goldschmidt (1-for-8) and A.J. Pollock (0-for-8).

Ray has gone 2-0 in 11 starts since suffering a loss to Colorado on July 12. The 26-year-old has posted a 1.93 ERA over his last five starts and picked up those two victories in that span. Ray allowed one run and four hits over seven innings in a no-decision against the Cubs on July 25 and is 0-1 with a 2.50 ERA in three career starts versus the team.

WALK-OFFS

1. Diamondbacks RF Steven Souza Jr. struck out three times in four hitless at-bats on Tuesday and is a meager 3-for-42 with 20 strikeouts in September.

2. Chicago RHP Brandon Morrow (elbow) is done for the season after experiencing pain following a simulated game on Saturday.

3. Arizona LHP T.J. McFarland (elbow) has been shut down for the rest of the campaign.

PREDICTION: Cubs 8, Diamondbacks 3