Diamondbacks and Cubs Set for Crucial Series at Wrigley Field
As the second half of the season kicks off, two teams eager to build on their pre-All-Star break momentum clash on Friday. The Arizona Diamondbacks face the Chicago Cubs in what promises to be an engaging three-game series at the historic Wrigley Field in Chicago.
Arizona, currently holding a 49-48 record and standing second in the National League West, has been impressive lately, winning eight of their last 12 games before the intermission. They aim to carry this momentum forward against a Cubs team that's also showing signs of resurgence.
Key Players in Focus
One of the standout performers for the Diamondbacks has been second baseman Ketel Marte. Marte has posted an impressive .292 batting average, with 19 doubles, two triples, and 19 home runs contributing to his 57 RBIs and 64 runs scored. Marte’s influence is undeniable, highlighted by a strong 3-for-5 outing with a home run and four RBIs in an 8-7 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays right before the break.
Marte’s historical performance against the Cubs is promising as well, batting .278 over 30 career games, including five doubles, one triple, five homers, and 14 RBIs. Notably, he managed five multi-hit games in his last nine appearances before the All-Star Game.
Left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. is another critical player for Arizona, coming into this series on a high. Gurriel has hits in nine of his past 10 games, including a robust 2-for-5 performance with a double, a home run, three RBIs, and two runs scored against the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 3. His record against the Cubs stands at two doubles, two homers, and nine RBIs in 12 games.
Pitching duties for the Diamondbacks in the opener will fall to Ryne Nelson, who holds a 6-6 record with a 4.98 ERA. Nelson will need to bring his best against a determined Cubs lineup.
The Cubs' Prospects
The Cubs come into the matchup with a 47-51 record, placing them fifth in the NL Central but only 3.5 games out of the Wild Card spot. The team has been in good form, winning eight of their last 11 games. Their earlier meetings with the Diamondbacks in Phoenix were productive, as they won two out of three games in that series.
On the mound for Chicago in the opener will be Justin Steele, who has been solid with a 2-3 record and an impressive 2.71 ERA. Steele's recent performances have been stellar, with his last two starts resulting in wins. In one of his standout games, Steele pitched seven innings of three-hit ball, striking out four in an 8-0 victory over Baltimore on July 18. Over 14 starts this season, Steele has pitched 86.1 innings, allowed 64 hits and 26 earned runs, walked 18, and struck out 81.
First baseman Michael Busch represents another key figure for the Cubs. Busch had a noteworthy 3-for-5 performance, including a double, in a narrow 5-4 loss to St. Louis last Saturday. His recent form has been particularly potent, going 8-for-15, compiling three doubles, one homer, and four RBIs during a three-game sweep at Baltimore. Across the season, Busch is batting .271 with 19 doubles, one triple, 12 homers, 36 RBIs, and 46 runs scored over 91 games.
Historical Context and Betting Insights
Historically, Arizona has a slight edge with a 98-85 lead in the all-time series against the Cubs. In games played at Wrigley Field, the Cubs hold a 46-43 advantage.
The first pitch is set for 2:20 p.m. ET on Friday. Bettors will find Arizona as a slight favorite with –119 on the money line, and the over/under for the contest stands at 7.5 runs.
The Diamondbacks will strive to leverage their recent run of form and solid individual performances to gain an upper hand in this series. Meanwhile, the Cubs, buoyed by their home advantage and recent winning streaks, will be equally determined to make a strong statement as the postseason race intensifies.