As the second half of the baseball season kicks off, two teams aiming to continue their momentum meet on Friday. The Arizona Diamondbacks, with a record of 49-48, travel to Wrigley Field to challenge the Chicago Cubs in a three-game series. Both squads finished the first half on an upswing, promising an exciting clash in Chicago.
Diamondbacks Riding High
The Diamondbacks entered the All-Star break on a high note, winning eight of their last 12 games. With this robust form, Arizona sits second in the National League West and looks to solidify their position in the standings. A significant contributor to their success is second baseman Ketel Marte, who boasts a .292 batting average, complemented by 19 doubles, two triples, 19 home runs, 57 RBI, and 64 runs scored.
Marte's consistency has been notable, particularly in the game against the Toronto Blue Jays where he went 3-for-5 with a home run and four RBI, despite the team’s 8-7 loss. His performances against the Cubs are formidable as well, batting .278 with five doubles, one triple, five home runs, and 14 RBI over 30 career games.
Conversely, Lourdes Gurriel Jr., playing left field for Arizona, comes into this series in stellar form. Gurriel Jr. has registered hits in nine of his past 10 games, including a standout 2-for-5 performance with a double, a home run, three RBI, and two runs scored against the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 3. In 12 career games against the Cubs, he has accumulated two doubles, two home runs, and nine RBI.
Mound Matchup
The Diamondbacks will send Ryne Nelson to the mound to start the series. Nelson, holding a 6-6 record with a 4.98 ERA, will aim to contain the Cubs’ hitters and provide a strong start for Arizona.
On the other side, the Cubs, currently 47-51 and fifth in the NL Central, look to continue their own upward trajectory. Despite being 3.5 games out of the Wild Card, the Cubs have shown grit, winning eight of their last 11 games. Earlier in the season, Chicago took two out of three games against Arizona in their meetings in Phoenix, adding an extra dimension to this series.
Chicago will rely on Justin Steele, who has posted a 2-3 record with an impressive 2.71 ERA. Steele has been in excellent form, securing victories in his last two starts, including a masterful seven-inning performance against Baltimore where he allowed just three hits while striking out four in an 8-0 victory on July 18. Over 14 starts this season, Steele has pitched 86.1 innings, given up 64 hits, 26 earned runs, walked 18, and struck out 81.
Key Performers
First baseman Michael Busch has emerged as a key player for the Cubs. Recently, he went 3-for-5 with a double in a narrow 5-4 loss to St. Louis in Game 2 of a doubleheader. Additionally, his performance during a three-game sweep at Baltimore was nothing short of spectacular, going 8-for-15 (.533) with three doubles, one homer, and four RBI. This season, Busch is batting .271 with 19 doubles, one triple, 12 home runs, 36 RBI, and 46 runs scored over 91 games.
The Diamondbacks hold a historical edge in the all-time series against the Cubs, leading 98-85. However, the Cubs have demonstrated their competitive spirit at home, holding a 46-43 advantage in games played at Wrigley Field. With the first pitch set for 2:20 p.m. ET, this series opener promises to be a thrilling contest for fans and a pivotal match-up for both teams as they endeavor to secure their playoff aspirations.
The money line favors the Diamondbacks at –119, with Vegas setting the over/under at 7.5 runs. As these two in-form teams face off, all eyes will be on Wrigley Field to see who can maintain their winning momentum and gain an edge in this tightly contested season.