Teams riding high from their respective recent runs are set to clash as the Arizona Diamondbacks prepare to take on the Chicago Cubs in a three-game series at Wrigley Field on Friday. Both teams ended the first half of the season with noticeable momentum and look to carry that energy into the second half.
Diamondbacks' Surge Led by Marte and Gurriel
Sporting a record of 49-48, the Diamondbacks are currently second in the competitive National League West. They found their stride, winning eight of their last 12 games heading into the All-Star break. Second baseman Ketel Marte has been a driving force behind this surge. Marte is batting .292, bolstered by 19 home runs and 57 RBIs, alongside noteworthy stats in doubles (19) and triples (2).
Marte’s performance has been nothing short of stellar, underscored by a 3-for-5 effort, including a homer and four RBIs in a close 8-7 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays just before the break. In career matchups against the Cubs, Marte has batted .278 with five home runs and 14 RBIs over 30 games, evidencing his consistent productivity. In the last nine games heading to the All-Star Game, he managed five multi-hit games, a testament to his unyielding form.
Meanwhile, left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. has been on a hot streak with hits in nine of his past 10 games. Gurriel’s notable performance included a 2-for-5 showing with a double, a home run, three RBIs, and two runs scored against the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 3. With a history of strong play against the Cubs, including two home runs and nine RBIs in 12 career games, Gurriel is poised to be a significant threat in this series.
Nelson to Open Series for Arizona
Ryne Nelson, set to pitch for Arizona in the series opener, carries a 6-6 record with a 4.98 ERA. While Nelson's numbers might not jump off the page, the Diamondbacks are hopeful that their recent form and his potential can spur a strong start to the series.
Cubs Eyeing Wild Card Spot
On the other side, the Chicago Cubs enter the series with a 47-51 record, placing them fifth in the NL Central and just 3.5 games out of the Wild Card race. Demonstrating their own late surge, the Cubs have won eight of their last 11 games. Historically, they’ve had some success against Arizona, taking two of three games during their earlier meetings in Phoenix. The Cubs will look to continue this form at their home ground.
Steele Anchoring Cubs' Pitching
The Cubs’ hopes may well rest on the arm of Justin Steele, their starting pitcher for the opener. Steele holds a promising 2-3 record with a standout 2.71 ERA. Coming off two consecutive wins, Steele's confidence is palpable. His latest outing saw him pitch seven stellar innings, allowing just three hits while striking out four in an 8-0 victory against Baltimore on July 18. Over 14 starts this season, Steele has pitched 86.1 innings, conceding 64 hits and 26 earned runs, complemented by an impressive 81 strikeouts.
Key Performance from Michael Busch
First baseman Michael Busch has also shown he can bring critical offense to the Cubs’ lineup. Busch recorded a 3-for-5 effort with a double in a tight 5-4 loss against St. Louis in Game 2 of a doubleheader. Over a three-game sweep at Baltimore, he went 8-for-15 (.533) with three doubles, one home run, and four RBIs. Thus far this season, Busch is batting .271 with 19 doubles, one triple, 12 home runs, 36 RBIs, and 46 runs scored over 91 games.
Historical Context and Betting Odds
Historically, the Diamondbacks hold a slight edge over the Cubs with an all-time series lead of 98-85. However, the Cubs have a favorable 46-43 advantage in games played at Wrigley Field. The first pitch of the upcoming game is set for 2:20 p.m. ET, with Arizona standing as a –119 favorite on the money line. Vegas has set the over/under at 7.5 runs, hinting at a potentially high-scoring encounter.
As these two teams, both striving to make their mark in the second half of the season, face off, fans can look forward to a series filled with competitive spirit and high stakes. With key players like Marte, Gurriel, Steele, and Busch in fine form, the stage is set for an exciting showdown at Wrigley Field.