On Friday, the Arizona Diamondbacks will square off against the Chicago Cubs in a critical three-game series at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Both teams have concluded the first half of the season with commendable form, making this encounter a must-watch for baseball enthusiasts.
Diamondbacks' Recent Form
The Arizona Diamondbacks, standing second in the National League West with a 49-48 record, are entering this series with significant momentum. Winning eight of their last twelve games leading up to the All-Star break has positioned them favorably for a strong push in the second half of the season.
Second baseman Ketel Marte has been pivotal in the Diamondbacks' recent success. Marte is batting a solid .292, complemented by 19 doubles, two triples, 19 home runs, 57 RBIs, and 64 runs scored. His performance has been nothing short of stellar, as evidenced by his 3-for-5 effort, which included a homer and four RBIs in a narrow 8-7 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays just before the break.
Marte’s consistency is further showcased in his career statistics against Chicago, boasting a .278 average across 30 games with five doubles, one triple, five home runs, and 14 RBIs. He also had a remarkable run leading up to the All-Star Game with five multi-hit games out of the last nine, cementing his role as a key player for Arizona.
Left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. also enters the series in fine touch, having hit safely in nine of his past ten games. Gurriel Jr. delivered a crucial 2-for-5 performance, including a double, a home run, three RBIs, and two runs scored on July 3 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. In his 12 career games against the Cubs, he has accounted for two doubles, two homers, and nine RBIs.
The Diamondbacks will send Ryne Nelson to the mound for the series opener. Presently, Nelson holds a 6-6 record with a 4.98 ERA and will aim for a solid performance to set the tone for his team.
Cubs Rising
The Chicago Cubs, currently fifth in the NL Central with a 47-51 record, are just 3.5 games out of the Wild Card. Like the Diamondbacks, the Cubs have showcased their resilience, winning eight of their last eleven games.
The Cubs previously took two out of three games against the Diamondbacks during their earlier meetings in Phoenix, indicating a competitive edge they hope to leverage in this series.
Justin Steele will take the mound for the Cubs in the opening game. Steele, sporting a 2-3 record with a 2.71 ERA, has been in exceptional form lately. His last two starts have been wins, including a dominant seven-inning outing where he allowed just three hits and struck out four in an 8-0 victory over Baltimore on July 18.
Through 14 starts this season, Steele has pitched 86.1 innings, conceded 64 hits, 26 earned runs, walked 18, and notched 81 strikeouts, proving to be a vital asset for the Cubs' rotation.
Key Performers
First baseman Michael Busch has also made significant contributions. Busch went 3-for-5 with a double in a 5-4 loss during Game 2 of a doubleheader against St. Louis last Saturday. His recent performance against Baltimore was even more impressive, going 8-for-15 (.533) with three doubles, one homer, and four RBIs during a three-game sweep. This season, Busch is batting .271 with 19 doubles, one triple, 12 homers, 36 RBIs, and 46 runs scored over 91 games.
Historical Context
Historically, the Diamondbacks have the upper hand in the all-time series against the Cubs, with a 98-85 lead. However, the Cubs have been more successful at Wrigley Field, holding a 46-43 advantage in games played at home.
Betting Odds
For those keeping an eye on the betting lines, the Diamondbacks are a –119 favorite on the money line, and Vegas has set the over/under at 7.5 runs.
With both teams displaying robust form heading into the second half of the season, this series promises three days of compelling baseball. The first pitch is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. ET.