The West Coast is Almost Behind Us (But Not Yet!) – Cubs vs Diamondbacks Series Preview

Cubs vs Diamondbacks — This West Coast nonsense is nearly at an end. Following this three-game road series against the Diamondbacks, the Cubs will head back home for four-straight games against the Marlins at Wrigley Field, followed by a schedule day-off.

And with key injuries to the rotation (Justin Steele, Jameson Taillon), bullpen (Julian Merryweather), and lineup (whomever Alexander Canario is coming up for), that four-gamer against Miami and off-day at home can’t come soon enough.

But first, Cubs vs Diamondbacks.

Before winning four of their last five games, the Diamondbacks had been pretty unimpressive to start the year. Or rather, they’re just doing that thing where they beat the really bad teams (7-3 against the Rockies and Cardinals), but get handled by the best teams (1-5 against the Yankees and Braves). So in a way, this series against the Cubs (a good, but not top-tier team, missing some key pieces) is a pretty good measuring stick for them. Hopefully, the Cubs shove their faces in the dirt.

Not that it’ll be easy. The Cubs rotation is all over the place at the moment. And that’s especially true for this series, when Ben Brown may be making his last start for a while, Kyle Hendricks will try to bounce back after back-to-back-back rough starts against good teams, and Jameson Taillon could be making his 2024 debut (maybe Wednesday).

On the flip side, the Diamondbacks have one tough challenge, one leaning the Cubs way, and one other as a toss-up. Brandon Pfaady isn’t supposed to be good, but he’s had success against the Cubs.

  • Merrill Kelly (starting tonight) is pretty good and off to a nice start overall (19.2 IP, 2.29 ERA, 86.5 MPH EV, 5.6 BB%).
  • Tommy Henry (starting tomorrow) has two first names and is kind of a scrub (4.68 career ERA over 28 starts).
  • Brandon Pfaadt (starting Wednesday) has a 6.13 ERA over 20 games against the not-Cubs and a 3.18 ERA over 2 games against the Cubs.
  • Cubs vs Diamondbacks – Pitching Probables:

    Game 1: Monday, April 15 at 8:40 CT at Chase Field
    Broadcast Info: Marquee Sports Network, 670 The Score

  • Cubs: Ben Brown, RHP
  • Diamondbacks: Merrill Kelly, RHP
  • Game 2: Tuesday, April 16 at 8:40 CT at Chase Field
    Broadcast Info: Marquee Sports Network, 670 The Score

  • Cubs: Kyle Hendricks, RHP
  • Diamondbacks: Tommy Henry, LHP
  • Game 3: Wednesday, April 17 at 2:40 CT at Chase Field
    Broadcast Info: Marquee Sports Network, 670 The Score

  • Cubs: Jameson Taillon, RHP (maybe?)
  • Diamondbacks: Brandon Pfaadt, RHP
  • Cubs vs Diamondbacks – Key Injuries:

    Chicago Cubs:

  • Patrick Wisdom, IF/OF
  • Justin Steele, SP
  • Julian Merryweather, RP
  • Caleb Kilian, SP
  • Arizona Diamondbacks:

  • Alek Thomas, OF
  • Geraldo Perdomo, SS
  • Eduardo Rodriguez, SP
  • Paul Sewald, RP
  • Drey Jameson, RP
  • written by

    Michael Cerami began covering the Chicago Cubs for Bleacher Nation as a part-time contributor in 2015. One year later, he joined Bleacher Nation full-time, covering the Chicago Cubs and Major League Baseball. Today, Michael runs Bleacher Nation, contributing as a writer (Cubs, MLB) and an editor for all sections of the site, including the Chicago Bears, Bulls, and Blackhawks, as well as MLB, NBA, NHL, and NFL. In 2019, Michael was the co-host of NBC Sports Chicago's Cubs Post-Game Show Outside the Ivy. You can find him on Twitter/X @Michael_Cerami

    more cubs news

    Enhanced Box Score: Pirates 5, Cubs 4 – May 16, 2024

    The Cubs had a golden opportunity handed to them in the bottom of the eighth inning when leadoff man Seiya Suzuki was hit by a pitch and reached third on a swinging bunt (+ error) for Cody Bellinger immediately after....

    The Mini-Break Pays Off: Ian Happ with a ROCKET Home Run!

    After a red-hot first ten games of the season (172 wRC+), Ian Happ had gone ice cold offensively. Aside from continuing to take his walks (he always does), his overall production plummeted to the point where Craig Counsell game him...

    Kevin Alcantara Doubles, Matt Shaw Singles, and Moises Ballesteros HOMERS THEM ALL IN!

    Brennen Davis isn't the only hot Cubs prospect. In fact, Moises Ballesteros is basically THE hot Cubs prospect of the season so far. And tonight, after two of the Cubs top prospects — Kevin Alcantara (on a double) and Matt...

    Pre-Gamin’: Pirates at Cubs (6:40 CT) – Lineups, Broadcast Info, Game Thread

    CUBS LINEUP — The Chicago Cubs are back at Wrigley Field tonight against the Pirates, facing a 22-year-old fireballer who threw six strong innings against them last weekend, Jared Jones. Here's a look at the Cubs lineup for the rematch...

    Brennen Davis Just Homered AGAIN

    For a moment, it seemed like we were in for another round of terrible Brennen Davis luck. Just as the Cubs outfield prospect was heating back up, this happened: https://twitter.com/thats_so_cub/status/1791239496777760989 Davis is just a magnet for HBPs, even when it's...

    MLBits: Red-Hot Rockies, Sticky Stuff Suspension, Salvy’s Patience Paying Off, More

    The longest active winning streak in baseball belongs to ... the Rockies. More on the red-hot Rox and more in today's MLB Notes. The Red-Hot Rockies? A little over a week ago, the Rockies were 8-28. Since then, they've won...

    The Cubs Are Coming Home to Face the Pirates

    Cubs vs Pirates — There's going to be a little deja vu here for the next week, as the Cubs play seven straight games against the Pirates and Braves after just wrapping up six games against ... the Pirates and...

    Cubs Farm Report | May 16, 2024: Brennan Davis Goes Yard in Iowa Loss

    Brennan Davis' fifth home run of the season was not enough for the Iowa Cubs on Wednesday as they fell to the Syracuse Mets in a rain-shortened affair. That and more in today's Cubs Farm Report. Cubs Farm Report |...

    Javier Assad is the Definition of Pitchability

    Like his rotation-mate Shota Imanaga, Javier Assad has reached the point where, after every single start, you want to say the same thing: wow, that was awesome, this guy is good. It gets a little stale, in an extremely desirable...

    Joe Buck is Returning to the Booth to Call a Cubs-Cardinals Game

    I know that Joe Buck is a polarizing broadcaster. Some people love him. Some people hate him. I also know that he seems to have gone through phases in his career where there were stretches I thought he was mutably...

    Latest News

    How to Watch Dodgers vs. Reds: Live Stream or on TV

    On Friday, Mookie Betts and the Los Angeles Dodgers (29-16) begin a series against Elly De La Cruz and the Cincinnati Reds (18-25) at Dodger Stadium, with first pitch scheduled for 10:10 PM ET.The article below will provide you with...

    Tigers vs. Diamondbacks: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    On Friday at 9:40 PM ET, Riley Greene and the Detroit Tigers (21-22) take on Ketel Marte and the Arizona Diamondbacks (21-23) at Chase Field.If you're trying to watch this game, keep reading for streaming and TV options for the...

    Giants vs. Rockies: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    On Friday, in a series opener at Oracle Park, Kyle Harrison takes the mound for the San Francisco Giants (20-25) against Ryan Feltner and the Colorado Rockies (15-28), with first pitch scheduled for 10:15 PM ET.Keep reading to find out...

    Texas Rangers vs. Los Angeles Angels Series May 17-19: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

    In the first of a three-game series, on Friday, May 17 at 8:05 PM ET, the Texas Rangers will host the Los Angeles Angels.Rangers vs. Angels Series Info Angels @ Rangers Time: Friday, May 17 at 8:05 PM ET Rangers...

    Houston Astros vs. Milwaukee Brewers Series May 17-19: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

    In the opener of a three-game series, on Friday, May 17 at 8:10 PM ET, the Houston Astros will host the Milwaukee Brewers.Astros vs. Brewers Series Info Brewers @ Astros Time: Friday, May 17 at 8:10 PM ET Astros Starting...

    St. Louis Cardinals vs. Boston Red Sox Series May 17-19: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

    In the first of a three-game series, on Friday, May 17 at 8:15 PM ET, the St. Louis Cardinals are hosting the Boston Red Sox.Cardinals vs. Red Sox Series Info Red Sox @ Cardinals Time: Friday, May 17 at 8:15...

    Kansas City Royals vs. Oakland Athletics Series May 17-19: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

    On Friday, May 17 at 7:40 PM ET, a three-game series between the Kansas City Royals and the visiting Oakland Athletics will begin.Royals vs. Athletics Series Info Athletics @ Royals Time: Friday, May 17 at 7:40 PM ET Royals Starting...

    Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Detroit Tigers Series May 17-19: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

    The Arizona Diamondbacks are hosting the Detroit Tigers for a three-game series, with the action getting underway at 9:40 PM ET on Friday, May 17.Diamondbacks vs. Tigers Series Info Tigers @ Diamondbacks Time: Friday, May 17 at 9:40 PM ET...

    San Francisco Giants vs. Colorado Rockies Series May 17-19: Odds, Starting Pitchers & Predictions

    A three-game series between the San Francisco Giants and the visiting Colorado Rockies will begin on Friday, May 17 at 10:15 PM ET.Giants vs. Rockies Series Info Rockies @ Giants Time: Friday, May 17 at 10:15 PM ET Giants Starting...

    Brewers vs. Astros: Start Time, Streaming Live, TV Channel, How to Watch

    The Milwaukee Brewers (26-17), led by William Contreras, visit Kyle Tucker and the Houston Astros (19-25) on Friday at 8:10 PM ET.If you're intending to watch this game, keep reading for TV and streaming options for the Milwaukee-Houston matchup.When is...

    more cubs news