Teams that finished the first half of the season on a high will 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 have momentum on their side, making this an enticing matchup for baseball enthusiasts.
Diamondbacks' Standout Performers
Arizona heads into this series with a 49-48 record, positioning themselves second in the National League West. They showed impressive form leading up to the All-Star break, winning eight of their last 12 games. One of the key players driving their recent success is second baseman Ketel Marte.
Marte is batting .292 with 19 doubles, two triples, 19 home runs, 57 RBI, and 64 runs scored. His performance was particularly notable in an 8-7 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays just before the break, where he went 3-for-5 with a homer and four RBI. Over his career, Marte has enjoyed success against Chicago, boasting a .278 average in 30 games with five doubles, one triple, five homers, and 14 RBI. Additionally, he had five multi-hit games in the nine contests leading up to the All-Star Game.
Left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. has also been a significant contributor for the Diamondbacks. Gurriel Jr. has registered hits in nine of his past 10 games. His standout moment came on July 3 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, where he recorded a 2-for-5 performance, including a double, a home run, three RBI, and two runs scored. Gurriel Jr. has been effective against the Cubs in his career, tallying two doubles, two home runs, and nine RBI in just 12 games.
Strong Pitching from Steele and Nelson
Pitching will be critical for both teams in the series opener. Arizona will start Ryne Nelson, who sports a 6-6 record with a 4.98 ERA. Meanwhile, the Cubs will counter with Justin Steele, who has been particularly effective this season with a 2-3 record and an impressive 2.71 ERA.
Steele's recent form has been exceptional. In his last two starts, which were both wins, he pitched a combined 14 innings, including a stellar seven-inning performance against Baltimore on July 18, allowing just three hits while striking out four in a dominant 8-0 victory. Over 14 starts this season, Steele has pitched 86.1 innings, giving up 64 hits, 26 earned runs, only 18 walks, and striking out 81 batters.
Cubs' Recent Form and Key Players
The Cubs have battled to a 47-51 record and are currently fifth in the NL Central, but they are only 3.5 games out of the Wild Card spot. Winning eight of their last 11 games demonstrates the Cubs' resilience and competitive spirit.
Part of their recent successes can be attributed to first baseman Michael Busch. 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. He was impressive during a three-game sweep at Baltimore, batting 8-for-15 (.533) with three doubles, one homer, and four RBI. This season, Busch is hitting .271 with 19 doubles, one triple, 12 homers, 36 RBI, and 46 runs scored over 91 games.
Historical Context and Betting Odds
Historically, the Diamondbacks have an edge over the Cubs, leading the all-time series 98-85. However, when it comes to games at Wrigley Field, the Cubs have the upper hand with a 46-43 record. This season has already seen the Cubs take two out of three games against the Diamondbacks during an earlier meeting in Phoenix.
As for the betting landscape, the Diamondbacks are a slight favorite on the money line with odds set at –119. The expected total runs for the game are set at an over/under of 7.5, indicating a potentially close and low-scoring affair.
The first pitch is set for 2:20 p.m. ET, and fans can anticipate a thrilling contest between two teams eager to continue their upward trajectories. With standout performers and crucial games ahead, this series at Wrigley Field promises to deliver compelling baseball action.