Will Greinke give AZ another W over Chicago?
Friday’s result at Chase Field proved that the Cubs are human after all. Having had a bit more time to process the Kyle Schwarber news, though, will the visitors bounce back more ferociously than ever?
Chicago and Arizona will get underway in the desert at 8:10 p.m. ET, with Kyle Hendricks and Zack Greinke comprising the pitching pairing. Oddsmakers at online sports book BetDSI prefer the Diamondbacks as 1.5-run favorites in this spot.
Last night, Chip Hale’s squad dealt the Cubbies their first defeat of 2016. Yasmany Tomas singled off reliever Trevor Cahill with two outs in the ninth to drive in the game-winning run. Chicago squandered a strong outing from starting hurler Jason Hammel (six innings of one-run ball) in the 3-2 loss.
In several hours, Hendricks will attempt to replicate Hammel’s efforts. The sinkerballer went 8-7 with a 3.95 ERA in 32 appearances last year. His main order of business this evening: neutralizing D-Backs second baseman Jean Segura, who’s on an 11-for-22 tear to commence the campaign.
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There was nothing sensational about Greinke’s Arizona debut earlier in the week. The presumptive NL Cy Young contender allowed seven runs and nine hits against Colorado. He did muzzle Chicago last June 23, though, scattering three hits over six scoreless frames.
The Cubs may still find themselves in a bit of a stupor regarding Schwarber’s torn ACL/MCL double-whammy. It’s even more likely, however, that Greinke will revert to form. Expect the Diamondbacks’ bullpen to be tasked with protecting a slim lead late.
SATURDAY MLB FREE PICK: CUBS/DIAMONDBACKS UNDER 8 RUNS
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