Cubs Present Massive Playoff Threat to Diamondbacks This Week

Aug 19, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Clay Holmes (25) pitches against the Chicago White Sox during the first inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Cubs Present Massive Playoff Threat to Diamondbacks This Week

Originally posted on Arizona Diamondbacks on SI
By Alex D'Agostino | Last updated Aug 24, 2026 4:36 PM ET

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The Arizona Diamondbacks managed to live to fight another day after they took two of three from the Cincinnati Reds over the weekend. But now, they'll face a serious National League threat in the form of the Chicago Cubs.

The Cubs, thanks to the excellence of the Milwaukee Brewers this year, are 19 games over .500 and still stuck with a Wild Card berth as of now.

The Diamondbacks are on the outside looking in, but remain firmly in the mix of contention. Arizona is two games back of the third and final Wild Card, as the Phillies and Padres continue to stack win after win.

The D-backs are not in direct playoff competition with Chicago, but they were swept by the Cubs in their last series, and cannot afford to lose that much ground this time around.

Arizona does seem to have a knack for playing up to their competition this season, it would seem. They've won the season series against the Dodgers and just took two of three from the Atlanta Braves.

The Cubs, with a revamped pitching staff, plus their MLB-leading .762 team OPS and 684 runs scored, could manage to be an even more dangerous opponent than either of those other two clubs. With the D-backs' rotation in a state of uncertainty, this could be a tough set.

Diamondbacks vs Cubs pitching matchups

Monday, August 24: RHP Merrill Kelly vs. RHP Kevin Gausman

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The Diamondbacks need more consistency out of Merrill Kelly, who has a 5.37 ERA this season. After a strong July, Kelly has been knocked around in three of his four August starts for a monthly ERA of 8.24.

The Cubs traded for right-hander Kevin Gausman at the Deadline. He has a 4.58 ERA on the season, but a 6.19 ERA with the Cubs in three starts, giving up 11 earned runs in 16 innings. Gausman has a career 3.20 ERA against Arizona in 11 appearances.

Tuesday, August 25: RHP Brandon Pfaadt vs RHP Clay Holmes

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An ill-timed three-run homer ruined what would have been another quality start for Brandon Pfaadt in his most recent start, but that doesn't take away from how elite he's been since returning from the minor leagues.

Pfaadt has a 3.39 ERA on the season, and had given up no more than two runs in a start since June, prior to that five-run start against the Red Sox.

Clay Holmes was almost a Diamondback this Deadline; the deal reportedly fell through. Instead, he became a Cub, and has posted one poor start and two excellent starts for Chicago. He has a 2.81 ERA as a Cub.

Wednesday, August 26: LHP Eduardo Rodriguez vs LHP Matthew Boyd

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Almost every time it looks like Eduardo Rodriguez is bound for a poor start, the left-hander has found a way to provide a strong outing. He's been the most reliable arm on Arizona's staff all season, with a 2.61 ERA. The Diamondbacks have won 20 of the 26 games he's pitched.

Matthew Boyd has had a strong season overall when healthy, but he's struggled in August. He has a 4.15 ERA on the year, inflated by the 6.12 monthly number. He pitched six innings of two-run baseball against Arizona earlier this season.

This article first appeared on Arizona Diamondbacks on SI and was syndicated with permission.

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