Teams that found their stride towards the end of the first half of the season collide this Friday as the Arizona Diamondbacks take on the Chicago Cubs in a three-game series at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Both teams are eager to carry their positive momentum forward as they jockey for playoff positions in their respective divisions.
Diamondbacks on a Surge
The Arizona Diamondbacks ended the first half with an impressive record of 49-48, securing the second spot in the National League West. Winning eight of their last twelve games leading up to the All-Star break, the Diamondbacks are looking to solidify their standing. Second baseman Ketel Marte has been a significant contributor to this success, batting .292 with 19 doubles, two triples, 19 home runs, 57 RBIs, and 64 runs scored.
Marte, who had a standout 3-for-5 performance with a homer and four RBIs in an 8-7 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays just before the break, continues to be a formidable player. In 30 career games against the Cubs, Marte is batting .278 with five doubles, one triple, five homers, and 14 RBIs. Moreover, he had five multi-hit games out of the last nine leading into the All-Star Game.
Left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. has also demonstrated consistent performance, securing hits in nine of his past ten games. In a notable game against the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 3, Gurriel had a 2-for-5 outing with a double, a home run, three RBIs, and two runs scored. Over twelve career games against the Cubs, he has accumulated two doubles, two home runs, and nine RBIs.
Arizona will rely on Ryne Nelson to start the series opener. Nelson holds a 6-6 record with a 4.98 ERA, and his performance will be crucial in setting the tone for the series.
Cubs Eyeing Wild Card Glory
The Chicago Cubs head into this series with a 47-51 record, currently sitting fifth in the NL Central and 3.5 games out of the Wild Card spot. The Cubs have shown resilience and determination, winning eight of their last eleven games. Their recent form reflects a team with grit, having taken two out of three games against the Diamondbacks during their earlier clash in Phoenix.
Leading the charge on the mound for the Cubs will be Justin Steele, who boasts a 2-3 record accompanied by an impressive 2.71 ERA. Steele's recent performances have been sterling, with his last two starts resulting in wins. In a remarkable outing against the Baltimore Orioles on July 18, Steele pitched seven innings, allowing just three hits while striking out four in an 8-0 victory.
Across 14 starts this season, Steele has pitched a total of 86.1 innings, allowing 64 hits, 26 earned runs, 18 walks, and striking out 81 batters. His consistency and control on the mound will be vital for the Cubs as they aim to claw their way into playoff contention.
Key Players to Watch
First baseman Michael Busch has been another standout performer for the Cubs. In a recent doubleheader against St. Louis, Busch went 3-for-5 with a double in a narrow 5-4 loss. His form has been remarkable, going 8-for-15 (.533) with three doubles, one homer, and four RBIs during a three-game sweep at Baltimore. This season, Busch is batting .271 with 19 doubles, one triple, 12 homers, 36 RBIs, and 46 runs scored over 91 games.
Historically, the Diamondbacks lead the all-time series against the Cubs 98-85. However, games at Wrigley Field have seen the Cubs hold a 46-43 advantage, indicating a competitive rivalry between the teams.
The first pitch is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. ET, setting the stage for what promises to be an exciting series. The Diamondbacks are slight favorites with a –119 line, and the over/under is set at 7.5 runs, suggesting a closely contested battle.
As these teams take the field, both will be eager to build on their momentum from the first half of the season. The Diamondbacks look to maintain their upper hand in the standings, while the Cubs will be hungry to close the gap in the Wild Card race. All eyes will be on Wrigley Field as two determined teams strive to make their mark.