Scheduled for a 2:20 PM start on July 21, 2024, the Arizona Diamondbacks are set to clash with the Chicago Cubs at the iconic Wrigley Field, despite a forecast of light rain. The Diamondbacks will be sending Brandon Pfaadt to the pitcher’s mound, who holds a respectable ERA of 3.971. His counterpart from the Cubs, Shota Imanaga, boasts an impressive ERA of 2.969.

In the 2024 NL West Division, the Diamondbacks find themselves in sixth place with a record of 51-48, reflecting a .520 winning percentage. They are currently positioned second in their division with a 19-14 record against division opponents and have secured 7 wins out of their recent 10 games, including a two-game winning streak. With a slightly better record at home (26-24) than on the road (25-24), and a stronger performance in night games (31 wins) compared to day games (20 wins), the team has amassed 490 runs while conceding 467.

Conversely, the Cubs are in twelfth place in the 2024 NL Central Division with 47 wins and 53 losses, sporting a winning percentage of .470. They are fifth in their division with a 12-21 record in divisional play. Their recent record includes 6 wins in the last 10 games and a two-game losing streak. The Cubs have a balanced record at home (25-23) and have struggled slightly more on the road (22-30). They have scored 417 runs and allowed 428 overall.

As for the betting odds, they present an intriguing aspect of the matchup. The Cubs are slight favorites with a money line of -129 due to Imanaga’s strong pitching performance this season, while the Diamondbacks are not far behind at +111, indicating a closely contested game. The point spread is set at -1.5 in favor of the Cubs, with an over/under of 7.5, suggesting a potentially low-scoring affair driven by solid pitching on both sides.