It's time to continue our MLB odds series with a Cubs-Diamondbacks prediction and pick. Find out how to watch Cubs-Diamondbacks.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have dealt with some bad news and some good news regarding their starting pitchers for 2025. Jordan Montgomery is done with the team, having had to miss the 2025 season with Tommy John surgery. On the other hand, pitcher Brandon Pfaadt just signed a big new extension to solidify his place on the pitching staff and within the organization. Guess who starts for Arizona in Game 3 of this series against the Chicago Cubs? This is a very attractive pitching matchup on the first Saturday of the new MLB season.

Cubs-Diamondbacks Projected Starters

Shota Imanaga vs. Brandon Pfaadt

Shota Imanaga (0-0)

Last Start: March 18 vs Los Angeles Dodgers (Tokyo Series): 4 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 4 BB, 2 K

Imanaga's control was not especially sharp against the Dodgers, but Imanaga did not allow a hit to the Dodgers, a reminder of how good his stuff and location are. Imanaga is not a flamethrower. He won't smoke the radar gun. However, he gets great late movement on his pitches to get hitters off balance. No-hitting the powerful Dodgers in four innings shows that Imanaga is still the pitcher who flourished last season. There is no reason to think Imanaga will slow down for a Cub team which has a very legitimate chance to win a balanced and fluid National League Central, which is expected to be close and tightly-bunched all season long.

Brandon Pfaadt (0-0)

Pfaadt just received a big new contract, a proud moment for the young pitcher who helped the Diamondbacks make the 2023 World Series. Pfaadt gets a chance to instantly prove how much this deal means to him. He begins his quest to reward the Arizona organization for its faith in him. It's only March 29, but this is a huge moment in Pfaadt's career. It transcends the 2025 season, though this obviously could be a tone-setter for the rest of the year.

Here are the Cubs-Diamondbacks MLB odds, courtesy of FanDuel. 

MLB Odds: Cubs-Diamondbacks Odds

Chicago Cubs: -1.5 (+168)

Related NewsArticle continues below
Thunder's betting odds to sweep both WCF, NBA Finals
Thunder’s betting odds to sweep both WCF, NBA Finals
Tigers news: Detroit dominating the betting odds for AL awards amid best record in MLB, Tarik Skubal, AJ Hinch, Javier Baez
Tigers dominating the betting odds for AL awards amid best record in MLB
Fever news: How Caitlin Clark stacks against A'ja Wilson in MVP betting odds
How Fever’s Caitlin Clark stacks against A’ja Wilson in initial MVP betting odds

Moneyline: +104

Arizona Diamondbacks: +1.5 (-205)

Moneyline: -122

Over: 8.5 (-118)

Under: 8.5 (-104)

How to Watch Cubs vs Diamondbacks

Time: 8:10 p.m. ET/5:10 p.m. PT

TV: Marquee (Cubs) / MLB (Diamondbacks)

*Watch MLB games LIVE with fuboTV (Get Access | Save $30)*

Why The Cubs Will Cover The Spread/Win

The Cubs got hammered on Friday. Now they get to send their ace, Imanaga, to the bump on Saturday. It's a natural bounce-back spot for the Cubs, who scored a ton of runs in their win on Thursday and were then smothered by Merrill Kelly on Friday. The odds would say that Imanaga will outpitch Pfaadt and the Cubs will piece together enough runs to prevail in Phoenix.

Why The Diamondbacks Will Cover The Spread/Win

Brandon Pfaadt gets to pay back his team after getting a big new contract. Expect Pfaadt to pitch extremely well and set the tone not only for this game, but for his 2025 season in Arizona. Imanaga is a really good pitcher, but the amount of walks against the Dodgers are a concern. If Imanaga continues to walk hitters, opponents will eventually get big hits with runners on base. Arizona scored a lot of runs on Friday against Chicago pitching. Eugenio Suarez his swinging a hot stick and has already homered in this series against the Cubs. He might carry the D-Backs to another win.

Final Cubs-Diamondbacks Prediction & Pick

We slightly lean to the Cubs, but this is a live-play game given how evenly matched these teams appear to be.

Final Cubs-Diamondbacks Prediction & Pick: Cubs moneyline