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 squads enter the series with momentum, each looking to build upon their success before the All-Star break.
Arizona Diamondbacks: Grit and Determination
The Arizona Diamondbacks, holding a 49-48 record, find themselves in second place in the National League West. They won eight of their last 12 games leading up to the break, thanks in significant part to their key players stepping up when it matters most. Second baseman Ketel Marte has been a standout, batting .292 with an impressive 19 doubles, two triples, 19 home runs, 57 RBI, and 64 runs scored. His offensive prowess was on full display right before the break, when he went 3-for-5 with a home run and four RBI during an 8-7 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays.
Marte's recent form has been electric, with five multi-hit games in his last nine outings going into the All-Star Game. His history against the Cubs adds another layer of intrigue to this matchup. In 30 career games against Chicago, Marte is batting .278 with five doubles, one triple, five homers, and 14 RBI.
Left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. has also been making noise, securing hits in nine of his past 10 games. His standout performance on July 3 against the Los Angeles Dodgers saw him go 2-for-5, including a double, a home run, three RBI, and two runs scored. Over his 12 career games against the Cubs, Gurriel Jr. has notched two doubles, two home runs, and nine RBI.
The Diamondbacks will start Ryne Nelson on the mound. Nelson holds a 6-6 record with a 4.98 ERA, and his performance will be crucial in setting the tone for the series opener.
Chicago Cubs: A Resilient Squad
On the other side, the Chicago Cubs come into the series with a 47-51 record, placing them fifth in the NL Central. They are just 3.5 games out of the Wild Card, demonstrating their form and grit by winning eight of their last 11 games. Their recent success included taking two out of three games against the Diamondbacks during earlier meetings in Phoenix.
The Cubs will rely on Justin Steele to start the series. Steele, who boasts a 2-3 record with a 2.71 ERA, has secured wins in his last two starts. In his July 18 outing against Baltimore, Steele showcased his prowess by pitching seven innings, allowing only three hits, and striking out four in an 8-0 victory. Over his 14 starts this season, Steele has logged 86.1 innings, given up 64 hits, 26 earned runs, walked 18, and struck out 81.
Adding to the Cubs’ offensive strength, first baseman Michael Busch had a noteworthy performance in a recent doubleheader against St. Louis. Busch went 3-for-5 with a double in a 5-4 loss in Game 2. During a three-game sweep at Baltimore, Busch was a force to be reckoned with, going 8-for-15 (.533) with three doubles, one homer, and four RBI. Over 91 games this season, Busch is batting .271 with 19 doubles, one triple, 12 homers, 36 RBI, and 46 runs scored.
Series Outlook
Historically, the Diamondbacks lead the all-time series against the Cubs 98-85. However, the Cubs have had the upper hand at Wrigley Field, leading 46-43 in games played there. This series promises to be a tightly contested affair, with both teams looking to leverage their recent form and key players’ performances to gain the upper hand.
The first pitch is set for 2:20 p.m. ET on Friday. Betting odds favor the Diamondbacks at –119 on the money line, with the over/under set at 7.5 runs.
As both teams vie for a strong start to the second half of the season, fans can expect fireworks in this exciting three-game series at one of baseball's most iconic stadiums. Will the Diamondbacks extend their edge over the Cubs, or will Chicago seize the opportunity to close their Wild Card gap? All eyes will be on Wrigley Field.