(907) CUBS (Hammel) @ DIAMONDBACKS (Hellickson)
Take: (907) CUBS -129
The first two games of the series between the Cubs and Diamondbacks have been highly entertaining. The Snakes captured the Friday opener in extras for their fifth straight win. But that streak was snapped Saturday night as the Cubs won a back and forth battle by a 9-6 count. I like the Cubbies to grab the rubber match today.
Jason Hammel is pitching rock solid ball for the visitors. Hammel was dynamite for the Cubs last season, and I’m still not sure what happened when he went to Oakland. In any event, he’s right back in the form he was flashing last year at this time, and I don’t see any particular reason he shouldn’t have another good outing today.
Jeremy Hellickson does not inspire anywhere near that level of confidence. Hellickson has struggled badly at Chase, maybe not as much as the 7.45 home ERA would indicate, but not far from it. His four game scores at home have been 33, 31, 29 and 44. That’s not good, and making matters worse, Hellickson has had a bad time chewing up innings.
That last variable is in play here as the Diamondbacks bullpen could well be on fumes at this point. Unless Hellickson suddenly morphs into something he hasn’t come close to being this season, he’s either taking one for the team or forcing a potentially tired set of arms to pick up the slack.
Arizona has been better lately, and part of the reason has been that they’re finally getting a little production from the bottom portion of the batting order. But Hammel will have a good chance to reverse that trend and if this happens to be close late, I think the Cubs are going to own an advantage in the pen.
As mentioned earlier, I’m anticipating public money on the road favorite here. in this instance, I believe it to be justified. As always on Sundays, it’s probably advisable to wait for lineup info to make sure our side isn’t sitting any key starters. But as it stands right now, I like the Cubs to capture this series finale.
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My 2 Sunday Afternoon 2*s are loaded.