Chicago Cubs Set Pitching Probables for Arizona Diamondbacks Series

The Chicago Cubs will start Justin Steele in the opening game of their important three-game series with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The Chicago Cubs have set their pitching probables for their series with the Arizona Diamondbacks, which starts on Friday at Chase Field.

Friday’s game is set for 9:40 p.m. central. Saturday’s game is at 7:10 p.m. and Sunday’s game is at 6:10 p.m.

Friday’s game will pit the Cubs’ Cy Young candidate Justin Steele (16-3, 2.49) against Arizona’s Brandon Pfaadt (1-8, 6.25).

Steele took a no-decision in his last start against Arizona on Saturday. He gave up one earned run and six hits in seven innings, while walking none. He also struck out six. He has been the Cubs' best starter this season and is 10-1 with a 2.37 ERA in his last 15 starts. In his last 91 innings, Steele has struck out 101 and walked 17.

Pfaadt made his last start against the Cubs on Sunday and allowed four earned runs and seven hits in six innings. He struck out four and walked one. He enters this game with a record of 1-3 with a 5.20 ERA in his last seven games, including six starts. He has struck out 35 and walked 13 in his last 36.1 innings.

Saturday’s game will feature the Cubs’ Kyle Hendricks (6-7, 3.71) against the Diamondbacks’ Zach Davies (2-5, 6.81).

Hendricks, a right-hander, won his last start on Sunday against Arizona, as he gave up two earned runs and seven hits in 5.2 innings. He struck out four and walked one. His performance has come around of late, as he is 2-1 with a 3.15 ERA in his last seven starts. In his last 40 innings, he has struck out 32 and walked nine.

Davies, also a right-hander, faced the New York Mets on Monday and took a no-decision. In four innings he allowed four hits and three earned runs. He also struck out five and walked three. He has a 1-1 record and a 7.16 era in his last seven starts, with 31 strikeouts and 16 walks in his last 32.2 innings.

Sunday’s finale will start rookie Jordan Wicks (3-0, 1.99) for the Cubs against Ryne Nelson (7-8, 5.53) for the Diamondbacks.

Wicks saw his three-game winning streak snapped on Monday when he faced the Colorado Rockies. He took a no-decision, but he gave up just three hits and one earned run in six innings. He also struck out two and walked one. In 22.2 innings he has struck out 15, walked five and given up just five earned runs.

Nelson last pitched on Tuesday against the New York Mets and took the loss. He gave up seven hits and six earned runs in 4.1 innings, while walking two and striking out three. He has a 7.07 ERA and a 2-3 record in his last seven starts, with 20 strikeouts and 12 walks.

After the Cubs wrap up their series with the Diamondbacks, they have Monday off before they begin a three-game series with the Pittsburgh Pirates at Wrigley Field on Tuesday.