Teams that finished the first half of the season on a bit of a roll clash on Friday as the Arizona Diamondbacks face off against the Chicago Cubs in a three-game series at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Both sides will aim to carry their momentum into the second half of the season, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting series.
Diamondbacks Seeking to Maintain Momentum
Arizona arrives in Chicago with a 49-48 record, placing them second in the National League West. The Diamondbacks have won eight of their last 12 games leading up to the All-Star break, demonstrating a surge in form that fans will hope to see continue.
Key to Arizona's recent success has been the performance of second baseman Ketel Marte. Marte is batting .292, boasting an impressive array of statistics that includes 19 doubles, two triples, 19 home runs, 57 RBIs, and 64 runs scored. Notably, Marte had a standout game just before the break, going 3-for-5 with a homer and four RBIs in an 8-7 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays.
Marte has also excelled historically against the Cubs, with a .278 batting average in 30 career games against Chicago. His notable contributions include five doubles, one triple, five home runs, and 14 RBIs. Additionally, Marte had five multi-hit games out of the last nine going into the All-Star Game, indicating consistent form.
Left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. has also been in fine form, securing hits in nine of his past 10 games. A highlight includes a 2-for-5 performance with a double, a home run, three RBIs, and two runs scored on July 3 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Against the Cubs, Gurriel Jr. has registered two doubles, two home runs, and nine RBIs in his 12 career games.
Pitching Matchup
The Diamondbacks will send Ryne Nelson to the mound for the series opener. Nelson sports a 6-6 record with a 4.98 ERA, and his performance will be critical in setting the tone for Arizona.
Opposing him will be Chicago’s Justin Steele, who has a 2-3 record with an impressive 2.71 ERA. Steele has been a steady presence for the Cubs, winning his last two starts, including a dominant seven-inning outing where he allowed just three hits while striking out four in an 8-0 victory against Baltimore on July 18. Over 14 starts this season, Steele has pitched 86.1 innings, allowing 64 hits, 26 earned runs, 18 walks, and striking out 81.
Cubs Eyeing Wild Card Spot
Chicago, with a 47-51 record, finds itself fifth in the NL Central but only 3.5 games out of a Wild Card spot. The Cubs have also been in good form, winning eight of their last 11 games. Their earlier meetings with the Diamondbacks resulted in a series win in Phoenix, giving them confidence heading into this clash.
First baseman Michael Busch has been another bright spot for Chicago. In a recent doubleheader against St. Louis, Busch went 3-for-5 with a double during a narrow 5-4 loss. His performance against Baltimore was particularly noteworthy, going 8-for-15 (.533) with three doubles, one homer, and four RBIs during a three-game sweep. This season, Busch is batting .271 with 19 doubles, one triple, 12 homers, 36 RBIs, and 46 runs scored over 91 games.
History favors the Diamondbacks in the all-time series against the Cubs, leading 98-85 overall. However, the Cubs hold a slight advantage in games played at Wrigley Field, with a 46-43 record.
The first pitch is set for 2:20 p.m. ET, with the Diamondbacks entering as a –119 favorite on the money line, while Vegas has set the over/under at 7.5 runs.
With both teams coming off strong performances in the first half, fans can expect a closely contested and thrilling series as the Diamondbacks and Cubs set their sights on moving up the standings.