The Arizona Diamondbacks (16-14) and Chicago Cubs (19-12) will start a three-game series on Friday, May 1, at 2:20 p.m. ET, with the Cubs returning a 1.69x payout on PrizePicks Team Picks if they secure a victory.
With Arizona coming off a brutal set against the Milwaukee Brewers and Chicago seemingly piecing some things together, how could this one unfold?
Below, we'll break down our Diamondbacks vs. Cubs prediction and picks for Friday’s MLB matchup, including the spread, over/under, and key player picks for PrizePicks.
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Diamondbacks vs. Cubs Prediction, Winner Payout, Over/Under – Friday, May 1
For this game, Diamondbacks SP Zac Gallen (4.32 xFIP across 6 starts and 28.2 IP in 2026) and Cubs SP Colin Rea (3.94 xFIP in 6 games and 27.1 IP) will square off on the mound.
The Cubs and Diamondbacks are close enough to their first-place counterparts that they could move into the top spot by the end of the weekend.
Chicago is one of the hottest teams in the league, winning 12 of its last 15. It’s important the Cubs stay hot because the National League Central is the most competitive division in the league, with each team having a winning record.
The Diamondbacks are trending in the opposite direction, dropping six of their last nine. They’ve allowed a brutal 32 runs in their last three games.
Diamondbacks vs. Cubs Winner Payout, Over/Under – Friday, May 1
The Cubs enter Friday’s game as home favorites, returning a 1.69x payout if they win outright, via PrizePicks Team Picks.
Here are the full payouts for the Diamondbacks vs. Cubs game on PrizePicks.
- Spread: Chicago Cubs -1.5 (2.38x payout)
- Over/Under: 7.5 (2x payout on Over)
- Game Winner Payout: Diamondbacks 2.08x | Cubs 1.69x
Play the Diamondbacks vs. Cubs spread or over/under on PrizePicks Team Picks to earn real money — available in 35 states!
Team Picks data is live at the time of writing and is subject to change.
Diamondbacks vs. Cubs Prediction on Over/Under – 5/1/26
Here are the key game stats and trends behind our Diamondbacks vs. Cubs prediction on the run total for Friday, May 1.
Lock in your Diamondbacks vs. Cubs prediction on PrizePicks before the line moves.
- These are two of the better over teams in baseball, as the Cubs have the third-highest over rate (66.7%) and the D-Backs sit at fifth (62.1%).
- Eight or more total runs have been scored in three of Gallen’s six starts. That's been the case in four of Rea's starts, and he receives an average of 5.1 support runs.
- Rea doesn't generate swings and misses, as his 21.6% whiff rate is in the 28th percentile, per Baseball Savant.
- The Diamondbacks rank 12th in MLB in whiff rate as a team at 24.7%.
- Gallen also doesn't induce many swings and misses, either, as his 17.3% whiff rate resides in the eighth percentile.
- The Cubs are ninth in the league with a 24.3% team whiff rate.
Diamondbacks vs. Cubs Player Picks, Stats for PrizePicks: 5/1/26
Here are the top Diamondbacks vs. Cubs picks to target on PrizePicks for Friday, May 1. Today’s MLB picks for PrizePicks include 2B Ketel Marte and 3B Alex Bregman.
Diamondbacks 2B Ketel Marte vs. Cubs Projection: 1.5 Hits + Runs + RBIs
- Marte has a stellar history against Rea, going 4-for-6 with 2 home runs.
- The ball is flying off the 12-year veteran’s bat, as his 92.7 mph average exit velocity ranks in the 88th percentile.
- Rea’s is allowing a 92.3 mph average exit velo, a fifth-percentile mark.
- The native of the Dominican Republic has exceeded his projection in two of his last four games.
Add Ketel Marte to your PrizePicks Lineup now.
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Cubs 3B Alex Bregman vs. Diamondbacks Projection: 5 Hitters Fantasy Score
- After slumping at the start of the season, Bregman is heating up. Since April 20, he has a .410 wOBA.
- Bregman has exceeded his hitter fantasy score projection in two straight games.
- The former 2015 No. 2 overall pick hits better at home, owning a 115 wRC+ compared to a 95 mark on the road.
- The 11-year veteran's 16.8% whiff rate is in the 89th percentile.
Add Alex Bregman to your PrizePicks Lineup now.
Make Diamondbacks vs. Cubs Picks on PrizePicks
The Diamondbacks and Cubs begin a three-game set on Friday, with both teams looking like playoff contenders early in the season.
Don’t wait until the first pitch — make your Diamondbacks vs. Cubs picks on PrizePicks now and earn real money if you’re right.
Pick players, predict More or Less on their stats, and cash in if you’re right. With Team Picks, you can make predictions on game winners, spreads, and over/unders, now available in 35 states.
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