The Arizona Diamondbacks and Chicago Cubs will continue their three game series on Tuesday night at Chase Field in Arizona. The Chicago Cubs defeated the Diamondbacks by a score of 5-1 in the series opener. Both of these teams need to pile up the victories as they make their push into the 2018 MLB playoffs.
The Chicago Cubs continue to lead the National League Central division, and also have the best record in baseball. The Cubs hold a 2.5 game lead over the Milwaukee Brewers entering play on Tuesday. The Arizona Diamondbacks sit in third place in the National League West, and time is running out for them to catch the Rockies and Dodgers. The Chicago Cubs are -151 over the Diamondbacks in game two of the series.
Montgomery Starts For Cubs
Veteran left-hander Mike Montgomery will start for the Cubs on Tuesday night. Montgomery has spent time as both a reliever and a starter this season, but the Cubs are relying on him to pitch well down the stretch. Montgomery is 4-5 with a 3.87 earned run average through 35 appearances for the Cubs this season.
Javier Baez and Ben Zobrist have led the Cubs charge on offense this season. Veteran Zobrist is second in the National League with his .312 batting average entering the season. Zobrist has been a steady bat and a steady presence in the Cubs dugout. Javier Baez has been the breakout star this season. Baez enters this series with 32 home runs and 105 runs batted in, and will be a top-5 MVP candidate in the National League this season.
Goldschmidt Carrying DBack on Offense
Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt is having another terrific season at the plate in 2018. He has clobbered 33 home runs and driven in 83 runs to power the Arizona offense but hasn’t been getting much help of late. David Peralta is hitting .298 entering the series, and has hit 28 home runs in support of Goldschmidt. Arizona needs to find more production from their other players in the final two weeks of the season.
The Diamondbacks will send Matt Andriese to the mound in game two of the series. Andriese has primarily worked out of the bullpen in his career and will be making just his fifth start of the season in this game. He is 0-1 with a whopping 4.76 earned run average this season. Andriese faces a tough Cubs lineup who looks to be getting hot at the right time.
Cubs Win Game Two
The Arizona Diamondbacks are in a funk right now as a team, and it will likely cost them a playoff spot. The Diamondbacks managed just one run in the series opener, and are struggling to find consistent offense. The bats need to come alive soon if they are going to turn this around.
The Chicago Cubs looked sharp in the series opener, and their big bats delivered for them. The Cubs will now face a struggling pitcher trying to make a spot start, and their offense should take control. Look for the Cubs to beat the Diamondbacks for a second straight night in this game. Bet the Chicago Cubs -151 over Arizona on Tuesday night.
