Cubs host the Diamondbacks in first of 4-game series
Arizona Diamondbacks (18-21, fifth in the NL West) vs. Chicago Cubs (15-21, fourth in the NL Central)
Chicago; Thursday, 7:40 p.m. EDT
PITCHING PROBABLES: Diamondbacks: Zac Gallen (2-0, 1.05 ERA, .67 WHIP, 35 strikeouts); Cubs: Marcus Stroman (0-0)
LINE: Diamondbacks -120, Cubs +100; over/under is 8 runs
BOTTOM LINE: The Chicago Cubs host the Arizona Diamondbacks on Thursday to begin a four-game series.
Chicago is 6-12 at home and 15-21 overall. Cubs pitchers have a collective 3.82 ERA, which ranks seventh in the NL.
Arizona has a 10-11 record in home games and an 18-21 record overall. The Diamondbacks rank fourth in the NL with 41 total home runs, averaging 1.1 per game.
Thursday's game is the fourth time these teams match up this season.
TOP PERFORMERS: Willson Contreras has seven doubles, a triple and five home runs while hitting .268 for the Cubs. Patrick Wisdom is 5-for-30 with a double and a home run over the past 10 games.
Christian Walker has seven doubles and nine home runs for the Diamondbacks. Alek Thomas is 10-for-32 with two doubles, two home runs and four RBI over the last 10 games.
LAST 10 GAMES: Cubs: 6-4, .229 batting average, 2.56 ERA, outscored opponents by 18 runs
Diamondbacks: 3-7, .238 batting average, 5.76 ERA, outscored by 16 runs
INJURIES: Cubs: Michael Hermosillo: 10-Day IL (covid), Daniel Norris: day-to-day (right achilles), Jason Heyward: 10-Day IL (undisclosed), Nico Hoerner: 10-Day IL (ankle), Sean Newcomb: 15-Day IL (ankle), Nick Madrigal: 10-Day IL (low back), Marcus Stroman: 10-Day IL (undisclosed), Ethan Roberts: 10-Day IL (shoulder), Clint Frazier: 10-Day IL (appendicitis), Alec Mills: 10-Day IL (back), Adbert Alzolay: 60-Day IL (shoulder), Codi Heuer: 60-Day IL (elbow), Brad Wieck: 60-Day IL (elbow), David Bote: 60-Day IL (undisclosed)
Diamondbacks: Kyle Nelson: 10-Day IL (undisclosed), Cooper Hummel: 10-Day IL (undisclosed), Ketel Marte: day-to-day (hand), Keynan Middleton: 15-Day IL (undisclosed), Nick Ahmed: 10-Day IL (undisclosed), Carson Kelly: 10-Day IL (oblique), Luke Weaver: 10-Day IL (elbow), J.B. Bukauskas: 60-Day IL (shoulder)
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