Scouting report: Cubs vs. Arizona Diamondbacks
TV:
NBC Sports Chicago Monday, Wednesday and Thursday; WGN Tuesday
Radio:
WSCR 670-AM
Pitching matchups:
The Cubs' TBA vs. Patrick Corbin (6-4) Monday at 7:05 p.m.; Kyle Hendricks (6-8) vs. TBD Tuesday at 7:05 p.m.; Jon Lester (12-3) vs. Robbie Ray (3-2) Wednesday at 1:20 p.m.; TBD vs. TBD Thursday at 1:20 p.m.
At a glance:
The Diamondbacks are in the thick of the NL West race as well as the wild-card race. They get it done with pitching. Their overall ERA of 3.71 was third in the NL entering Sunday, and their bullpen ERA of 3.00 was first. The Cubs were fourth overall (3.72) and second in bullpen ERA (3.37). Paul Goldschmidt leads an offense that ranks near the bottom in several key categories. He went into Sunday at .277/.384/.525 with 21 homers and 52 RBI. David Peralta was at .289/.349/.503 with 16 homers and 53 RBI. The Diamondbacks' Alex Avila, Jon Jay and Zack Godley all have past ties to the Cubs. This continues a stretch of 12 games in 11 days for the Cubs. Javier Baez went into Sunday leading the NL in RBI (74).
Next:
St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium, Friday-Sunday
- Bruce Miles