It’s a huge game Thursday (and weekend series overall) in the NL wild card race as the Arizona Diamondbacks visit the Chicago Cubs, who are favorites on the MLB odds behind pitcher Javier Assad. Chicago already has surpassed its 2022 win total this season and Arizona will shortly.

Nitrobetting checks out the game in this preview. Get a complete look at the game information, team and player statistics, and the latest MLB odds. We also deliver timely betting trends and predictions that help you secure the best picks.

Diamondbacks vs. Cubs Game Information

Welcome to The Show, gents! pic.twitter.com/rxg0O7cEjj

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) September 6, 2023

• When: Thursday, September 7, 2023, 7:40 PM ET
• Where: Wrigley Field, Chicago, IL
• TV: ARID, MARQ, MLBN
• Radio: KMVP-FM 98.7 (Diamondbacks) // 670 The Score (Cubs)
• Live Stream: MLB.tv
• MLB Odds: Diamondbacks (-123) // Cubs (+105)

READ MORE: Twins vs. Guardians MLB Odds, Preview and Prediction – September 6, 2023

Why bet on the Arizona Diamondbacks?

The Diamondbacks are currently on the outside looking in for an NL wild card spot, while the Cubs currently hold the No. 2 spot. Minor disadvantage for Arizona in that it had to travel to Chicago after completing a home series vs. Colorado on Wednesday.

Thursday was to be Slade Cecconi’s turn in the rotation but the rookie was optioned to Triple-A on Monday. Cecconi holds a 4.44 ERA and 18:4 K:BB over 24.2 innings in the majors this season and was roughed up over the weekend by Baltimore. Arizona is likely to bring back Ryne Nelson (6-7, 5.47 ERA), who has pitched well over his last three starts at Reno.

Nelson has worked to improve his slider during his time in the minors and it has shown of late with Arizona pitching coach Brent Strom noting that the right-hander is “locating it more” and “hasn’t made as many mistakes with it.” Nelson has made four starts for Reno since his demotion in mid-August, pitching to a 3.74 ERA. Despite a mid-90s fastball, Nelson struggled to miss bats, and the organization is hoping an improved slider will help.

Lefty reliever Andrew Saalfrank was called up to the Diamondbacks on Monday, adding another lefty arm to a right-handed heavy bullpen in the midst of the team’s playoff run. The 26-year-old pitched 1.2 scoreless innings in relief on Tuesday against Colorado. Saalfrank appeared in 44 games this season between Double-A Amarillo and Triple-A Reno, going 8-2 with a 2.53 ERA and 93 strikeouts in 64 innings pitched.

Arizona is in the midst of a 28-game stretch that includes against playoff contenders in the Rangers (2-0), Reds (3-1), Dodgers (0-3), Orioles (1-2), Cubs (4 games on the road and 3 games at home) and Giants (2 games). The D-backs’ .991 fielding percentage is the best in the Majors, while their 45 errors are the fewest.

Why bet on the Chicago Cubs?

The Cubs didn’t start No. 1 catcher Yan Gomes, infielder Jeimer Candelario or outfielder Mike Tauchman for Wednesday’s finale vs. the Giants but it was simply rest for all. Since his last game on the bench, Gomes is 6-for-16 with three RBI in five games. In 33 games since July 23, he is batting .297 (33-for-111) with 13 doubles, one home run and 16 RBI. Candelario has been a tremendous trade pickup for the Cubs but is slumping at the moment, going 4-for-29 in his last 10 games with three of those hits being home runs.

Shortstop Dansby Swanson has reached the 70-RBI mark for the third straight season, one of seven N.L. players to accomplish the feat. Outfielder Cody Bellinger’s 62 RBI since July 1 lead the majors. The Cubs have now scored at least 10 runs in 22 games this year, the second-most in the majors trailing Texas (23). Bellinger has driven in 25 runs in his last 18 games.

It’s converted reliever Javier Assad (3-2, 2.69) on the mound for Chicago. Assad did not factor into the decision last Saturday, allowing seven hits and one walk over eight scoreless innings in a 2-1 loss to the Reds. He struck out seven. The 26-year-old righty was removed after eight innings with a 1-0 lead that Chicago’s bullpen was unable to protect, sticking him with a -decision. The eight innings set a career high, while seven strikeouts tied Assad’s best mark.

“I was super happy that I was able to go that long,” Assad said afterward. “I think everything was going well. Later in the game, I was effective with cutters and sinkers.”

Assad now has five consecutive outings going five-plus innings while allowing two or fewer earned runs, posting a 1.62 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, and 24:8 K:BB across 33.1 innings during that stretch. In his career, Assad is 4-2 with a 2.58 ERA (22 ER/76.2 IP) in 15 career starts, compared to 1-2 with a 3.19 ERA (17 ER/48.0 IP) in 19 career relief appearances. He has never faced Arizona.

Diamondbacks vs. Cubs Betting Trends

• Arizona is 3-6 SU in the last 9 games.
• Diamondbacks are 2-4 SU in its last 6 games against an opponent in the National League.
• The total went over in 4 of Arizona’s last 5 games on the road.
• Chicago is 4-1 SU in the last 5 games.
• Cubs are 5-0 SU in its last 5 games at home.
• The total went in 8 of Chi Cubs’ last 10 games.

Diamondbacks vs. Cubs Betting Prediction

Cubs 5, Diamondbacks 3.

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