Diamondbacks @ Cubs – Series Preview (Aug 1-3): TV/Game Info, Pitching Matchups, Insights
The Diamondbacks embark upon a critical month in August, perhaps their most difficult of the 2017 season. They kick things off against the Chicago Cubs. The Cubs have been playing great baseball since the All-Star break, when they were two games under .500. Since the break they have a 13-3 record.
The D-backs head into this series in need of not just a good showing, but a series win that could help them build momentum. They are 7-9 since the All-Star break and they currently have a six game lead in the Wild Card race over the sinking Milwaukee Brewers. As bad as things have gone in July for the D-backs — they finished with a 10-14 record for the month — they still have the fourth best record in baseball.
Game Time and Broadcast Info
- Tuesday, Aug 1 at 5:05 MT on FS-AZ, 620 AM
- Wednesday, Aug 2 at 5:05 MT on FS-AZ, 620 AM
- Thursday, Aug 3 at 11:20 MT on FS-AZ, MLB Network (out-of-market), 620 AM
Starting Pitchers
| Date | Pitcher | Age | T | W/L | ERA | FIP |
| 8/1 | Patrick Corbin | 28 | R | 8-9 | 4.36 | 4.19 |
| Jon Lester | 33 | L | 8-6 | 3.88 | 4.00 | |
| 8/2 | Zack Godley | 27 | R | 4-4 | 3.06 | 3.02 |
| Jake Arrieta | 31 | R | 10-7 | 4.03 | 4.23 | |
| 8/3 | Zack Greinke | 33 | R | 13-4 | 2.84 | 3.18 |
| Jose Quintana | 28 | L | 6-9 | 4.16 | 3.81 |
What To Watch For
- With both Chris Owings and Nick Ahmed on the 60-day DL, and Ketel Marte on the bereavement list, the D-backs middle infield situation is in a serious state of flux. Brandon Drury and Daniel Descalso, along with the addition of infielder Adam Rosales, are going to have to shoulder the load. It’s also likely that Infielder Ildemaro Vargas gets recalled from Triple-A Reno.
- Since the All-Star break the D-backs have averaged 2.4 runs per game in their nine loses and that includes one loss where they scored five runs against the Reds. In their seven wins since the break they’re averaging 8.57 runs per game. Meanwhile, the Cubs have allowed 2.73 runs per game since July 15 and that includes a game where they gave up 11 runs. David Peralta, A.J. Pollock, Jake Lamb, Paul Goldschmidt and J.D. Martinez must rattle the Cubs in this series (pun intended).
- Be sure to check out our sister site Cubs Insider for their breakdown of this series and related coverage. They have a lot of very talented writers over there and provide some solid insights that this one-man crew may have missed.
