Diamondbacks vs. Cubs Prediction and Odds for Friday, May 20 (Diamondbacks Win Pitcher's Duel)
By Joe Summers
![Josh Rojas of the Diamondbacks Josh Rojas of the Diamondbacks](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,w_6346,h_3569,x_0,y_305/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/images/GettyImages/mmsport/426/01g3gvsaxfcxrgj4gyce.jpg)
The 19-21 Arizona Diamondbacks snapped a six-game losing streak with a 3-1 win over Chicago yesterday, and aim for back-to-back wins as they take on the 15-22 Cubs today at 2:20 PM EST.
Kyle Hendricks gets the call for Chicago as they've lost two straight after a four-game winning streak. Hendricks had a rough opening month of the season but has settled down in May, amassing a 2.25 ERA this month, including allowing just one run over 5.2 innings against these Diamondbacks in his last outing.
Arizona will counter with Humberto Castellanos, who has also had a solid May after a poor start to 2022. He gave up two runs in 5.1 innings to the Cubs in his last start, but hasn't made it through the sixth inning in any of his appearances, meaning the Diamondbacks are likely to rely heavily on their bullpen today.
Can Castellanos give the Diamondbacks consecutive wins or will Chicago bounce back behind Hendricks?
Let's check out the odds from WynnBET Sportsbook to help find some value in this Diamondbacks vs Cubs matchup:
Diamondbacks vs Cubs Odds, Run Line and Total
Run Line:
- Diamondbacks +1.5 (-150)
- Cubs -1.5 (+125)
Moneyline:
- Diamondbacks: +123
- Cubs: -133
Total:
- 11.0 (Over -110/Under -110)
Diamondbacks vs Cubs Prediction and Pick
Both of these teams have struggled offensively of late, with Arizona averaging 3.33 runs per game in their last nine and the Cubs ranking 26th in OPS against right-handed pitchers this month. In fact, seven consecutive games between these teams have hit the under, and I think today makes it eight straight.
Neither starting pitcher has been particularly effective, but Castellanos has the edge. He's in the 50th percentile in expected ERA while Hendricks ranks in the 20th. Hendricks has struggled to generate strikeouts and can surrender too many walks, which could be troublesome against a Diamondbacks lineup that averages the seventh-most walks per game in the league.
The Cubs have the bullpen advantage, but their offense has been so bad I don't think it matters. They're just 3-7 over their last 10 as a favorite and the under is 8-1-1 in those matchups.
Arizona, meanwhile, is 9-6 in their last 15 as an underdog and have value. I'll back the Diamondbacks and under despite a lackluster pitching matchup. The wind is blowing out to center field, but 11 runs is an overreaction to the weather. These lineups are not good, and we shouldn't overreact. Look for the Cubs to fall to 3-8 in their previous 11 when favored and push the under to 9-1-1 in that stretch.
Pick: Diamondbacks (+123) and Under 11.0 (-110)
Follow all of Joe Summers' betting picks here.