The Arizona Diamondbacks are set to take on the Chicago Cubs this afternoon at 2:20 PM ET in the historic Wrigley Field. Diamondbacks fans have reasons to be optimistic, as their team is slightly favored with a money line of -106. This matchup holds promise, especially with Justin Steele of the Cubs on the mound, heralded for his steadfast performances this season.
Pitching Showdown
Justin Steele, making his 15th start, boasts a commendable 2.71 ERA despite a modest 2-3 record. Steele has delivered eight quality starts and shined in his most recent outing, pitching seven scoreless innings. Notably effective on the road with an ERA of 2.96, Steele's performance at home stands at 3.16, although his home numbers slightly waver compared to his road stats.
On the other side, Ryne Nelson will lead the Diamondbacks' pitching efforts. Nelson’s season has been a rollercoaster with a 6-6 record and a 4.99 ERA. His WHIP of 1.42 and a batting average against of .296 offer potential vulnerabilities. Despite this, Nelson has consistently kept opponents at bay, not surrendering more than three earned runs in his last six starts.
Team Dynamics
The Diamondbacks are hovering with a 49-48 overall record, sitting second in the NL West, but trailing the Dodgers by seven games. They’ve shown resilience, boasting a 4-1 record in their last five away games, matching that run line record. They average a formidable five runs per game, the second-best in MLB, with notable hitters like Christian Walker soaring with 22 homers and Ketel Marte adding 19 homers to the tally. However, their recent nail-biting 8-7 loss to the Blue Jays, squandering a seven-run lead, spotlights both their volatility and offensive strength. Further fueling their prospects, the Diamondbacks have clinched two consecutive road victories, achieving an overall run line record of 49-48.
Arizona’s games have been notably high-scoring this season, averaging 9.8 runs with an over/under record standing at 52-42. For today’s game, an over/under line of 7.5 runs is set, a benchmark frequently surpassed in their matches. Specifically, 84.5% of Diamondbacks games and 67.3% of Cubs games have crossed the 7.5 runs line this season.
Cubs' Recent Surge
The Cubs, with a 47-51 overall record, occupy the fifth spot in the NL Central, trailing the Brewers by 8.5 games. Yet, their recent form has been encouraging, winning seven out of their last ten games and holding a strong 4-1 record in their last five home games. Despite a disappointing 12-21 divisional record, the Cubs have shown resilience as home underdogs, holding a 9-5 record in such situations.
Offensively, the Cubs average 4.2 runs per game with a team batting average of .235. Key players to watch include Nico Hoerner, with an impressive .378 average over his last nine games, and Christopher Morel, who has blasted three homers in his last eight games. In a recent 8-3 victory over the Cardinals, Jameson Taillon's solid 5 2/3 innings, allowing just three earned runs, underscores the team's potential.
Game Predictions and Insights
As the Diamondbacks and Cubs prepare for today’s game, all indicators point towards a fiercely contested battle. Justin Steele is projected to achieve six strikeouts, showcasing his pitching dominance, while Ryne Nelson is expected to notch four strikeouts for the Diamondbacks. Steele is anticipated to concede fewer runs than Nelson, aligning with the narrow victory prediction for the Diamondbacks at 5-4.
Both teams riding three-game over streaks adds an extra layer of excitement to this showdown. For the Diamondbacks, a win would bolster their standing, potentially narrowing the gap in the NL West. For the Cubs, continuing their recent form could spark a crucial push in the tightly contested NL Central.
Expect a gripping encounter at Wrigley Field, where every pitch and at-bat will count as these teams vie for crucial mid-season momentum.