First pitch: approximately 3:40 p.m. ET / 12:40 p.m.
Venue: Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona (retractable-roof stadium)
This is the series finale. The Cubs took the opener 7-0, while the Diamondbacks rallied for a walk-off 5-4 win on Tuesday night (Ryan Waldschmidt’s two-run homer in the ninth). Chicago sits second in the NL Central (behind Milwaukee) and firmly in the wild-card picture with a strong overall record. Arizona is third in the NL West and fighting to stay relevant in the playoff race.
Probable Starting Pitchers
Cubs: LHP Matthew Boyd (8-2, 4.15 ERA, 1.24 WHIP in 91 IP with 71 strikeouts). The veteran left-hander has a strong win-loss record but has dealt with home-run issues in August (multiple multi-homer outings). He provides innings and experience.
Diamondbacks: LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (13-4, 2.61 ERA, 1.21 WHIP in 155 IP with 110 strikeouts). One of the more effective starters in the league this season after prior struggles; he has been consistent with strong recent form including scoreless efforts.
Current Weather Forecast (Phoenix / Chase Field)
Extremely hot and mostly sunny. Highs near 114–115°F (or higher). Lows overnight in the upper 80s to low 90s. Light winds (around 5–10 mph). Very low precipitation chance. Chase Field’s retractable roof will almost certainly be closed for player and fan safety given the extreme heat.
Injury Reports
Cubs: Dansby Swanson (side, 10-day), Matt Shaw (hand, 10-day), Edward Cabrera (blister, 15-day), plus multiple longer-term absences including Justin Steele, Cade Horton, Hunter Harvey, Ben Brown, Phil Maton, and others on the 60-day IL. Rotation and bullpen depth are tested.
Diamondbacks: Ketel Marte (knee, 10-day), Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (adductor, 10-day), Tommy Troy (shoulder, 10-day), plus pitchers including Zac Gallen, Ryne Nelson, Corbin Burnes, A.J. Puk, and others on the 60-day IL. Significant pitching and position-player absences.
Key Current Roster Contributors
Cubs: Pete Crow-Armstrong (power and average leader), Ian Happ, Seiya Suzuki, Michael Busch, Alex Bregman, Michael Conforto, Nico Hoerner, and supporting pieces. Offense has shown power and run-production capability.
Diamondbacks: Corbin Carroll, Gabriel Moreno, Geraldo Perdomo, Nolan Arenado (power), Max Kepler, and others filling in amid injuries. Capable of late rallies as shown Tuesday.
Recent Team Forms
Cubs (solid overall but mixed recent: L1 after Tuesday’s loss; competitive ~4-6 in last 10): Strong season-long run production and road capability, though the series has been competitive.
Diamondbacks (resilient: W1 after walk-off; ~5-5 recent): Showing fight at home despite injuries and a tougher path in the standings.
Series History
Cubs won Monday 7-0; Diamondbacks won Tuesday 5-4 on a walk-off. Season series has favored Chicago in prior meetings. Chase Field games have featured both pitching dominance and late drama.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups
Matthew Boyd vs. Diamondbacks lineup: Left-handed pitching against a depleted but opportunistic Arizona order featuring Carroll, Moreno, and Perdomo. Boyd must limit the long ball that has plagued him recently.
Eduardo Rodriguez vs. Cubs lineup: Strong form and command against Crow-Armstrong’s power, Happ, Suzuki, and Busch. Rodriguez’s ability to work deep and keep runs off the board will be key.
Bullpens: Both sides are dealing with injuries; late-inning execution decided Tuesday’s game and could again.
Offense trends: Cubs’ power potential vs. Diamondbacks’ ability to manufacture late runs in a roof-closed environment.
Betting Trends
Trends reflect Rodriguez’s superior season numbers and home edge versus Boyd’s record and the Cubs’ overall strength.
Game Odds
Chicago Cubs 8.5
Arizona Diamondbacks – 111
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, August 25, 2026
