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.
Diamondbacks Riding High
The Arizona Diamondbacks, currently sitting second in the National League West with a 49-48 record, are looking to maintain their momentum after winning eight of their last 12 games before the All-Star break. Their offense is bolstered by second baseman Ketel Marte, who is batting an impressive .292. Marte has been a consistent offensive force, tallying 19 doubles, two triples, 19 home runs, 57 RBI, and scoring 64 runs. His pre-All-Star break performance included a remarkable 3-for-5 effort with a homer and four RBI, despite the team's narrow 8-7 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays.
Marte has shown he can be a thorn in the side of the Cubs, batting .278 with five doubles, one triple, five homers, and 14 RBI in his 30 career games against the Chicago team. Additionally, five of his last nine games before the break were multi-hit affairs, showcasing his consistency.
Left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. has also been crucial for the Diamondbacks. With hits in nine of his past 10 games, Gurriel is another key component of Arizona’s lineup. His standout performance on July 3 against the Los Angeles Dodgers—going 2-for-5 with a double, a home run, three RBI, and two runs scored—demonstrates his hitting prowess. Gurriel's track record against the Cubs includes two doubles, two home runs, and nine RBI in his 12 career games.
Pitching Matchups and Strategies
Arizona will start Ryne Nelson on the mound in the series opener. Nelson has posted a 6-6 record with a 4.98 ERA, which might seem pedestrian, but he has had moments of brilliance this season. His performance will be vital for the Diamondbacks as they attempt to outduel Cubs pitcher Justin Steele.
Steele, who will be opposite Nelson, has been in stellar form, holding a 2-3 record with an impressive 2.71 ERA. Steele’s recent performances include winning his last two starts, notably pitching seven innings with just three hits allowed and four strikeouts in an 8-0 victory over Baltimore on July 18. Over his 14 starts this season, Steele has been reliable, pitching 86.1 innings and allowing just 26 earned runs while striking out 81.
Chicago Cubs' Momentum
The Chicago Cubs enter the series with a 47-51 record, currently placing them fifth in the NL Central and 3.5 games out of the Wild Card. The Cubs showed resilience and form by winning eight of their last 11 games, a trend they aim to continue against Arizona. Historically, the Cubs have held their own at Wrigley Field against the Diamondbacks, with a 46-43 advantage in home games.
When these teams met earlier in Phoenix, the Cubs took two out of three games, exhibiting their competitive edge. The Cubs' offense has also relied heavily on contributions from Michael Busch, who went 3-for-5 with a double in a tight 5-4 loss to St. Louis in Game 2 of a doubleheader last Saturday. Busch has been a revelation, going 8-for-15 with three doubles, one homer, and four RBI during a three-game sweep at Baltimore. This season, Busch is batting .271 with 19 doubles, one triple, 12 homers, 36 RBI, and 46 runs scored over 91 games.
Statistical Insights
The all-time series between the Diamondbacks and Cubs slightly favors Arizona, leading 98-85. However, the Cubs will look to leverage their home-field advantage to inch closer to the Wild Card race. The first pitch is set for 2:20 p.m. ET, with the Diamondbacks opening as –119 favorites on the money line, and Vegas setting the over/under at 7.5 runs.
As both teams look to capitalize on their recent good form, this series promises to be a tightly contested battle, one that could have significant implications for their postseason aspirations.