As the Major League Baseball season progresses into its second half, two teams that have found their rhythm clash on Friday at Wrigley Field. The Arizona Diamondbacks take on the Chicago Cubs in a three-game series that promises excitement, given both teams' recent performances.
Diamondbacks Riding High
The Arizona Diamondbacks have posted a respectable 49-48 record, situating them second in the highly competitive National League West. They closed the first half of the season strongly, winning eight of their last 12 games leading up to the All-Star break. One player standing out is second baseman Ketel Marte, who has been a linchpin for the team. Marte is currently batting .292 and has contributed significantly with 19 doubles, two triples, 19 home runs, 57 RBIs, and 64 runs scored. His hot streak included a 3-for-5 performance with a home run and four RBIs in an 8-7 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays just before the break.
Over his career, Marte has proven his mettle against the Cubs. In 30 career games against Chicago, he's batting .278 with five doubles, one triple, five home runs, and 14 RBIs. Remarkably, Marte logged five multi-hit games out of the last nine leading up to the All-Star Game.
Left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. has also been a key contributor, collecting hits in nine of his past 10 games. His recent 2-for-5 performance against the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 3, which included a double, a home run, three RBIs, and two runs scored, illustrates his ability to come through in crucial moments. In 12 career games against the Cubs, Gurriel has accumulated two doubles, two home runs, and nine RBIs.
On the mound for the series opener will be Ryne Nelson, who holds a 6-6 record with a 4.98 ERA. The Diamondbacks are counting on Nelson to maintain stability against a Cubs lineup that has shown flashes of brilliance.
Cubs Fighting to Stay in Contention
The Chicago Cubs, with a 47-51 record, are currently fifth in the NL Central but find themselves just 3.5 games out of the Wild Card spot. The Cubs have been playing with resilience, winning eight of their last 11 games, including a series win against the Diamondbacks in Phoenix earlier this year.
Leading the charge from the mound will be Justin Steele, who boasts an impressive 2-3 record with a 2.71 ERA. Steele's last two starts resulted in wins, and he has been particularly effective in recent outings. Notably, Steele pitched seven innings, allowing just three hits while striking out four in an 8-0 victory against Baltimore on July 18. Over his 14 starts this season, Steele has pitched 86.1 innings, allowing 64 hits, 26 earned runs, 18 walks, and striking out 81.
First baseman Michael Busch has also been a standout player for the Cubs. Busch went 3-for-5 with a double in a 5-4 loss in Game 2 of a doubleheader against St. Louis last Saturday. During a three-game sweep at Baltimore, Busch posted an impressive 8-for-15 (.533) with three doubles, one home run, and four RBIs. This season, Busch is batting .271 with 19 doubles, one triple, 12 home runs, 36 RBIs, and 46 runs scored over 91 games.
Historically, the Diamondbacks lead the all-time series against the Cubs with a 98-85 record. However, the Cubs have a slight edge when playing at Wrigley Field, holding a 46-43 advantage. The first pitch of this enticing matchup is set for 2:20 p.m. ET, and the Diamondbacks are currently listed as a –119 favorite on the money line with the over/under set at 7.5 runs.
This series promises to be a showcase of formidable talent and determination from both teams. Will Arizona maintain their post-All-Star break momentum, or will Chicago keep edging closer to a Wild Card spot? Only time will tell as the Diamondbacks and Cubs battle it out at the iconic Wrigley Field.