Diamondbacks vs Cubs Pick: Arizona and Chicago Meet Again After Slugfest (Apr 19)

• Our Diamondbacks vs Cubs pick looks at two MLB teams returning to the field for the second game of their series after a first-game slugfest
• Arizona is in 4th place in a tough NL West; Chicago is in 1st place in the NL Central
• Zac Gallen takes the mound for Arizona; Chicago’s Ben Brown opposes him

Arizona’s Bats Broke Out In Friday’s Loss

While the Diamondbacks lost the first game of the series 13-11, there were some offensive positives in that Lourdes Gurriel Jr., who had been in a horrific slump, broke out with a 2 for 5 performance and a home run. Eugenio Suarez, who has been hitting for power and little else, homered and drove in 5.

They scored 10 runs in the top of the 8th inning, but surrendered 6 in the bottom of the 8th inning.

Righty Zac Gallen, one of baseball’s best starters, has been up and down in 2025. In his next-to-last start, the Orioles knocked him around for 5 runs and 7 hits in 4.2 innings. He rebounded in his previous start against the Brewers, throwing 6 innings of 2-run ball.

The only current Cubs player to homer against Gallen is Ian Happ. Kyle Tucker is 5 for 15 with 2 doubles. Michael Busch is 2 for 6 with a double. Dansby Swanson is 1 for 11.

Chicago’s Carson Kelly Has Been Smoking Hot

In the win over Arizona, catcher Carson Kelly was 2 for 4 with 2 home runs and 5 RBIs. On the season, he has a .419 batting average and a preposterous 1.675 OPS. Busch was 3 for 5, Nico Hoerner was 2 for 4, and Pete Crow-Armstrong was 2 for 4 with a walk and 3 runs scored.

Brown was brilliant in his last start, a 16-0 blowout win over the Dodgers in Los Angeles. He threw 6 innings, gave up 5 hits, no runs, no walks, and struck out 5.

Brown has had limited exposure to the Diamondbacks. The only D-Backs hitter with a hit is Jake McCarthy, who is 1 for 2.

Diamondbacks vs Cubs Pick: Gallen Will Tame Cubs

The Cubs have a productive offense led by Kyle Tucker, Busch, Seiya Suzuki, and the surprising Kelly. However, Gallen is consistently tough and pitched well in his last start. Although Brown has been impressive in his own right, the D-Backs should even the series with a win.