The Chicago Cubs and Arizona Diamondbacks begin a four game set this evening in Phoenix as each squad attempts to stay in their respective division races. Neither team has played well of late, combining to go 3-10 in their last 13 games, but at least one of the two will get a positive result when they take field for tonight's 9:40pm ET series opener. The latest MLB Odds are unsure which club that might be, though, with the game listed as a -110 moneyline pick'em. The game total is set at 10.5 and the Under is favored at -120 odds.
Chicago comes into tonight's contest with a 10-13 record thanks to 1-5 skid that started with an April 20th loss to the 
Padres at Wrigley Field. The Cubs lone win in that stretch saw them pound out 16 hits and 10 runs, but that marked the only recent offensive outburst from Mike Quade's club.
Chicago, which ranks 22nd in the league with 95 runs scored, has averaged just 3.5 runs per contest over its last eight games, and that number includes the 10-8 victory over the Dodgers on April 23rd.
If the offense continue to flounder, Ryan Dempster, who will get the start tonight for the Cubs, could be headed for his third loss of the season. Dempster has been dreadful this year, posting a 7.63 ERA and 1.63 WHIP in five starts. His last two outings have been especially horrendous as he surrendered 16 hits and 12 earned runs in just over 10 innings of work.
Arizona also enters this evening's game in a bit of a tail spin, but it has won two of its last three outings to bring its record to 10-13 overall. The Diamondbacks had lost four straight before opening a three game set with the Phillies on Monday night; they took two out of three against Philadelphia to halt their recent slide.
Right hander Barry Enright will be charged with keeping Arizona out of the ditch this evening as he takes the hill for Skipper Kurt Gibson. Enright, a 25 year old out of Stockton, California, has not been effective this season as his 0-2 record and 6.65 ERA would indicate.
The Pepperdine product has yet to record a quality start in four appearances this season, having allowed at least four or more earned runs in each of his outings. His last start represented his worst effort to date with the Mets pounding him for 12 hits and five earned runs in 5 2/3 innings.
Arizona won last meeting between these two National League rivals, but Chicago had bested the Diamondbacks eight consecutive times prior to that get together.
Cubs vs Diamondbacks Odds 2011 MLB Predictions:
Chicago Cubs -1.5 (+145), Over 10.5 (+100), -110 (Moneyline)
Arizona Diamondbacks -1.5 (-165), Under 10.5 (-120), -110 (Moneyline)
