Teams riding a wave of momentum as the first half of the season concludes will collide on Friday when the Arizona Diamondbacks face the Chicago Cubs in a pivotal three-game series at Wrigley Field.
Diamondbacks Eyeing NL West Peak
The Arizona Diamondbacks find themselves with a 49-48 record, sitting second in the National League West, aiming for a strong start to the second half. The Diamondbacks wrapped up the first half by winning eight of their last 12 games, showcasing their determination and form.
Second baseman Ketel Marte has been instrumental for Arizona. Marte is hitting .292 with an impressive stat line of 19 doubles, two triples, 19 home runs, 57 RBI, and 64 runs scored. Known for his clutch performances, Marte had a notable 3-for-5 game, including a homer and four RBI, during an intense 8-7 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays just before the All-Star break. His prowess against the Cubs is also noteworthy, as he’s batting .278 with five doubles, one triple, five home runs, and 14 RBI over 30 career games against Chicago. Additionally, Marte had five multi-hit performances in his last nine games leading up to the All-Star Game, emphasizing his consistency.
Left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. has also been a significant contributor, hitting safely in nine of his past 10 games. Notably, Gurriel had a standout game on July 3 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, going 2-for-5 with a double, a home run, three RBI, and two runs scored. In his career against the Cubs, Gurriel has accumulated two doubles, two home runs, and nine RBI in 12 games.
The Diamondbacks will rely on Ryne Nelson to set the tone on the mound in the series opener. Nelson has recorded a 6-6 record with a 4.98 ERA this season, and his performance will be crucial in curbing the Cubs' batting threats.
Cubs Aiming to Climb NL Central
The Chicago Cubs, with a 47-51 record, stand fifth in the NL Central but are just 3.5 games out of a Wild Card spot. The Cubs head into this series with noteworthy momentum, having clinched eight wins in their last 11 games, signaling their resolve and tenacity.
During their previous meetings in Phoenix, the Cubs managed to win two out of three games against the Diamondbacks, indicating the competitive nature of the matchup. On the mound for Chicago will be Justin Steele, who boasts a 2-3 record with an impressive 2.71 ERA. Steele has been solid in his recent outings, securing victories in his last two starts. His seven-inning performance against Baltimore on July 18, allowing just three hits and striking out four in an 8-0 triumph, highlights his current form.
This season, over 14 starts, Steele has pitched 86.1 innings, surrendering 64 hits, 26 earned runs, 18 walks, and striking out 81. The Cubs will be looking to him to provide another stellar performance to anchor their pitching staff.
First baseman Michael Busch has been another bright spot for Chicago. In Game 2 of a doubleheader against St. Louis last Saturday, Busch went 3-for-5 with a double in a tight 5-4 loss. His performance was particularly exceptional during a sweep at Baltimore, where he went 8-for-15 (.533) with three doubles, one home run, and four RBI across three games. This season, Busch is batting .271 with 19 doubles, one triple, 12 homers, 36 RBI, and 46 runs scored over 91 games.
Historical Edge and Betting Lines
Historically, the Diamondbacks hold a slight edge over the Cubs, leading the all-time series 98-85. However, the Cubs have shown superior form at Wrigley Field, boasting a 46-43 advantage in games played at their historic ballpark.
The first pitch is set for 2:20 p.m. ET, with the Diamondbacks entering as a slight favorite on the money line at –119. Vegas has set the over/under at 7.5 runs, reflecting the potential for a closely contested game.
This series promises to be an intriguing battle between two teams determined to capitalize on their pre-All-Star break momentum, with key players and solid pitching performances likely to play pivotal roles in the outcome.