The Cubs will host the Arizona Diamondbacks in a matinee at Wrigley on Friday, and the home team is a pretty big favorite here. Arizona has lost eight of it's last 11, and I think the D'Backs lineup is going to struggle against the Cubs ace today.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The Cubs hand the ball to Jon Lester, who has won three of his last four starts at Wrigley. Lester (8-10, 359 ERA) allowed one run on six hits while fanning half a dozen through 8.2 innings in a win over Cleveland in his last home start. He's 5-3 with a spectacular 2.70 ERA in day games this season, and he's 4-2 with a 3.59 ERA since the All Star break. The D'Backs counter with rookie right-hander Zack Godley, who is making just his fourth major league start.

2. Kris Bryant - The rookie phenom comes in swinging a hot bat, he was 6-for-11 with a home run and five RBIs in the series last series versus the Reds.

3. X-Factor - Arizona's slugger Paul Goldschmidt is not expected to play, as he's left the team in order to be with his wife for the birth of their child.


Selection: This is a play on the Chicago Cubs (6*)