Cubs vs Diamondbacks Lineup: Hot Bats, Conforto at DH, Can Gausman Do More?

The Cubs start an important three-game set with the Diamondbacks tonight.

Aug 23, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Chicago Cubs second baseman Pedro Ramírez (75) hits a grand-slam home run against the Seattle Mariners during the eighth inning at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Joe Nicholson-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

The Chicago Cubs open a three-game series with the Arizona Diamondbacks Monday evening as both teams are in the Wild Card mix this season.

The Cubs are hoping to turn the road trip around after dropping the first two games in Seattle this weekend, but these games with Arizona are far more important for their playoff chances. Coming into tonight's meeting, the Cubs hold a two-game lead over the Phillies for the top Wild Card spot, while the Diamondbacks sit only two games behind the Padres for the final Wild Card spot.

The D'backs and Cubs are both playing in divisions led by the two best teams in baseball in the Dodgers and Brewers, respectively, so the WIld Card represents their best chance to make the postseason. There should be a playoff atmosphere around these three games this week, adding some drama to the final week of August.

Game Info

Who: Chicago Cubs (75-56) vs Arizona Diamondbacks (69-62)
Where: Chase Field - Phoenix, AZ
When: 8:40 PM CT
Watch: Marquee Sports Network
Listen: 104.3 The Score

Chicago Cubs Lineup

1. Pete Crow-Armstrong, CF
2. Seiya Suzuki, RF
3. Michael Busch, 1B
4. Alex Bregman, 3B
5. Ian Happ, LF
6. Nico Hoerner, SS
7. Pedro Ramirez, 2B
8. Michael Conforto, DH
9. Carson Kelly, C

Michael Conforto gets a second straight start as the Cubs' DH tonight. He hit a home run Sunday in Seattle and has great numbers against Diamondbacks starter Merrill Kelly (1.071 OPS and 3 doubles in 18 PAs). Michael Busch also has good numbers against Kelly with a home run and a double in 10 PAs.

Of course, Pedro Ramirez and Ian Happ both hit grand slams yesterday and both led the team in RBIs after a 19-run outburst. Hopefully, there are more runs coming in tonight's matchup with the Diamondbacks!

Arizona Diamondbacks Lineup

1. Lars Nootbaar, DH
2. Corbin Carroll, RF
3. Gabriel Moreno, C
4. Geraldo Perdomo, SS
5. Gabe Kepler, LF
6. Nolan Arenado, 3B
7. Tim Tawa, 1B
8. Ildemaro Vargas, 2B
9. Ryan Waldschmidt, CF

The Diamondbacks are still without their star 2B Ketel Marte, who is on the 10-day IL with left knee inflammation and hamstring soreness. But the 32-year-old was reportedly seen at a casino during one of the Diamondbacks' games last week, which is definitely ... a choice. Former Cub Ildemaro Vargas will get the start at 2B for Marte once again. It's a strange situation in Arizona.

On the Mound ...

Aug 18, 2026; Chicago, Illinois, USA; Chicago Cubs pitcher Kevin Gausman (12) reacts in an injury delay against the Chicago White Sox during the fourth inning at Wrigley Field. Mandatory Credit: Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Cubs – Kevin Gausman, RHP

Kevin Gausman dealt with a scary left thumb cramp in his last outing vs the White Sox, limiting him to 4.1 innings on 86 pitches. The former Toronto Blue Jay has yet to have a great start in a Cubs uniform. However, outside of his 6-run game against the Nationals, Gausman hasn't allowed more than 3 runs in his last 5 starts.

His mix has been primarily fastball and splitters, leaning even more so on the splitter in his last start, throwing it 45 times vs the White Sox. Gausman was hunting ground balls and got them with 50.0 percent of the balls hit in play, expect more of that tonight for the 35-year-old righty.

Diamondbacks – Merrill Kelly, RHP

The 37-year-old Merrill Kelly has a 5.37 ERA on the season but has given up 5 or more runs in three of his last four starts. Walks have been a problem for Kelly, as well, giving up three or more walks in three of his last four starts.

Kelly isn't going to be striking many batters out, but he can still get batters to chase with his breaking balls when he gets ahead in counts. For what it's worth, the Cubs also faced Kelly earlier in the year, scoring 6 runs in 4.1 innings off the Diamondbacks starter.

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