Diamondbacks vs Cubs Picks and Prediction – 4/18/2025

The Friday MLB schedule will get underway with a matinee between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Chicago Cubs from Wrigley Field. Be ready for the baseball season with all of our MLB predictions. The Diamondbacks (12-7) are riding a five-game winning streak and are three games off the pace in the competitive NL West Division race. On Thursday, Pavin Smith and Josh Naylor each went deep to lead Arizona to a 6-4 road victory against Miami.  

Thirty year old right-hander Corbin Burnes (0-1 5.28 ERA) will make his fourth start for the Diamondbacks. Last time out, Burnes (6 IP) allowed four hits and three runs during a 5-4 home victory versus Milwaukee. 

The Chicago Cubs have split their first eight home games and hold a one-game lead over Milwaukee for the top spot in the NL Central Division. On Wednesday, Chicago OF Pete Crow-Armstrong’s third home run of the year was not enough during a 4-2 road loss against San Diego. SP Matthew Boyd (1-2) gave up two runs in five plus innings and took the loss for the Cubs, who fell to 12-9 overall.

Chicago manager Craig Counsell will turn to thirty-four year old righty Colin Rea (1.00 ERA) in the series opener. Rea has made four appearances for the Cubs and owns a solid 1.11 WHIP across nine innings of work.

Arizona 2B Ketel Marte (hamstring) took live batting practice on Tuesday and hopes to return to the lineup early next month. Through 19 games, Arizona ranks 2nd in OPS and 4th in runs scored. For the regular season, Chicago ranks 4th in OPS and 1st in runs scored. A wind of 15+ mph will be blowing out to left center. Take the over. Final Score Prediction, Arizona Diamondbacks win 8-6.