Arizona Diamondbacks and Chicago Cubs Set for Crucial Three-Game Series at Wrigley Field
Teams that finished the first half of the season on a high note, the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Chicago Cubs, are set to clash this Friday in a pivotal three-game series at Wrigley Field. Both teams, riding on a wave of solid performances, look to continue their momentum into the second half of the season.
Diamondbacks’ Shining Stars
The Diamondbacks enter the series with a 49-48 record, placing them second in the National League West. They closed out the first half of the season effectively, winning eight of their last 12 games leading up to the All-Star break. A key contributor to their success has been second baseman Ketel Marte. Batting an impressive .292, Marte has chalked up 19 doubles, two triples, 19 home runs, 57 RBIs, and 64 runs scored. Notably, Marte had a standout performance just before the break, going 3-for-5 with a homer and four RBIs in an 8-7 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. Over 30 career games against Chicago, he maintains a .278 batting average, supported by five doubles, one triple, five home runs, and 14 RBIs.
Adding to the offensive strength is left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr., who has recorded hits in nine of his past 10 games. Gurriel Jr. impressed with a 2-for-5 performance, including a double, a home run, three RBIs, and two runs scored on July 3 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Against the Cubs, he holds a .333 average over 12 games, contributing two doubles, two home runs, and nine RBIs.
Pitching Duel: Nelson vs Steele
The Diamondbacks will put their faith in right-hander Ryne Nelson, who currently has a 6-6 record with a 4.98 ERA. While his stats may not be the most compelling, Nelson aims to leverage his experience and consistency to help guide Arizona to a series-opening win.
On the mound for the Cubs will be Justin Steele, a pitcher with a solid 2-3 record and an impressive 2.71 ERA. Steele's last two starts have been victories; in his most recent outing, he pitched seven innings, allowing just three hits and striking out four batters in an 8-0 win against the Baltimore Orioles on July 18. Over 14 starts this season, Steele has thrown 86.1 innings, giving up 64 hits, 26 earned runs, and issuing 18 walks while striking out 81.
Cubs’ Key Contributors
The Cubs' current record stands at 47-51, placing them fifth in the NL Central. Despite their standing, the Cubs have shown resilience, trailing by only 3.5 games in the Wild Card race. Winning eight of their last 11 games, the Cubs have proven their mettle and tenacity. During their previous meetings in Phoenix, they secured a series win against the Diamondbacks, taking two of three games.
First baseman Michael Busch has been a recent standout for Chicago. In a 5-4 loss to St. Louis last Saturday, Busch went 3-for-5 with a double. Over a three-game sweep at Baltimore, he batted an impressive .533, accumulating eight hits in 15 at-bats with three doubles, one homer, and four RBIs. So far this season, Busch is hitting .271 with 19 doubles, one triple, 12 home runs, 36 RBIs, and 46 runs scored over 91 games.
Series History and Odds
Historically, the Diamondbacks have a slight edge in the all-time series against the Cubs, leading 98-85. However, games at Wrigley Field have been more balanced, with the Cubs holding a 46-43 advantage.
The excitement for the series is palpable, with the first pitch set for 2:20 p.m. ET. The Diamondbacks enter the game as a –119 favorite on the money line, and Vegas has set the over/under at 7.5 runs, indicating a closely contested game is expected.
As both teams aim to build on their recent successes, this series promises to offer intense competition and could have significant implications for the rest of the season. Fans and analysts alike will be keenly watching to see which team can leverage their current form to secure crucial victories.