On the afternoon of July 21, 2024, the Arizona Diamondbacks are set to battle the Chicago Cubs at the iconic Wrigley Field, starting at 2:20 PM under a forecast of light rain. Taking charge on the pitcher’s mound for the Diamondbacks will be Brandon Pfaadt, who enters with a solid ERA of 3.971. His counterpart from the Cubs, Shota Imanaga, brings a more formidable ERA of 2.969 to the game.

In the context of the 2024 season standings within the NL West, the Diamondbacks currently sit in 6th place with a record of 51-48, achieving a .520 winning percentage. Their divisional play has been strong, recording 19 wins against 14 losses, securing them 2nd place in the division. With 7 wins in their last 10 games accompanied by a two-win streak, the team has displayed resilient form. The Diamondbacks have also balanced records at home (26-24) and away (25-24), with a preference for night games where they’ve won 31 times compared to 20 during the day. They’ve scored 490 while allowing 467 runs.

Conversely, the Chicago Cubs are placed 12th in the NL Central Division, with a 47-53 record reflecting a .470 winning rate. Their struggles are evident in their division record of 12-21, positioning them at 5th place. The Cubs have managed 6 wins in their last 10 outings and are looking to bounce back from a two-loss streak. Home field advantage has been somewhat supportive, recording 25-23, but their road performances (22-30) have been disappointing. Their day game victories stand at 22 against 25 at night, and their run differential is minus with 417 scored and 428 conceded.

Turning to betting odds, the game presents intriguing opportunities for sports bettors. The point spread stands at -1.5 in favor of the Cubs, reflecting expectations of a tight contest. The over/under for the game is pegged at 7.5, suggesting a lower-scoring affair might be anticipated by oddsmakers. For those looking at moneyline bets, the Cubs are marginally favored with odds of -129, while the Diamondbacks stand at +111, which could appeal to those betting on an upset or a closely contested game.