Teams coming off a strong finish to the first half of the season will collide on Friday as the Arizona Diamondbacks take on the Chicago Cubs in a three-game series at Wrigley Field. This matchup pits two clubs aiming to build on their recent success and make a push towards postseason contention.
Diamondbacks Riding Momentum
The Arizona Diamondbacks hold a 49-48 record, good for second place in the National League West. They ended the first half of the season hot, winning eight of their last twelve games before the All-Star break. A significant contributor to their success has been second baseman Ketel Marte, who is batting .292 with 19 doubles, two triples, 19 home runs, 57 RBI, and 64 runs scored. Marte had a standout performance just before the break, going 3-for-5 with a homer and four RBI in a tightly contested 8-7 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays.
Marte has proven to be a consistent threat at the plate, enjoying five multi-hit games in his last nine outings leading up to the All-Star Game. His career numbers against the Cubs are also notable; in 30 games, Marte has a .278 batting average with five doubles, one triple, five homers, and 14 RBI.
Other Key Contributors for Arizona
Left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. has also found his stride recently, registering hits in nine of his past ten games. On July 3 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Gurriel Jr. went 2-for-5, including a double, a home run, three RBI, and two runs scored. Across his 12 career games versus the Cubs, Gurriel Jr. has accumulated two doubles, two home runs, and nine RBI.
The Diamondbacks will entrust Ryne Nelson (6-6, 4.98 ERA) to start the series opener on the mound. Nelson will be looking to capitalize on the momentum from Arizona's strong first half and help set the tone for the series against Chicago.
Cubs Aim to Maintain Recent Form
The Chicago Cubs, who sit at 47-51 and fifth in the NL Central, find themselves just 3.5 games out of the Wild Card race. The Cubs have displayed resilience, winning eight of their last eleven games. Their earlier meetings with Arizona saw the Cubs take two of three in Phoenix, showcasing their competitive spirit.
Steele Anchors Cubs' Pitching
Justin Steele (2-3, 2.71 ERA) will take the mound for Chicago in the series opener. Steele has been a stalwart for the Cubs, winning his last two starts. In his most recent outing on July 18, Steele threw seven innings of three-hit ball while striking out four in an 8-0 victory over Baltimore. Over his 14 starts this season, Steele has pitched 86.1 innings, conceding just 64 hits, 26 earned runs, issuing 18 walks, and fanning 81 batters.
First baseman Michael Busch has also played a pivotal role for the Cubs. In Game 2 of a doubleheader against St. Louis last Saturday, Busch went 3-for-5 with a double in a narrow 5-4 loss. He was particularly effective during a three-game sweep of Baltimore, where he batted .533 (8-for-15) with three doubles, one homer, and four RBI. Overall, Busch has posted a .271 average with 19 doubles, one triple, 12 homers, 36 RBI, and 46 runs scored across 91 games this season.
Series History and Betting Lines
Historically, the Diamondbacks hold the upper hand against the Cubs, leading the all-time series 98-85. However, the Cubs have edged Arizona in games played at Wrigley Field with a 46-43 record. The first pitch on Friday is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. ET, with Arizona being favored on the money line at -119. The over/under for runs has been set at 7.5 by Vegas.
This series is poised to be a competitive and thrilling battle as both teams seek to continue their momentum from the first half of the season and inch closer to their postseason aspirations.