Two teams riding a wave of momentum will face off as the Arizona Diamondbacks take on the Chicago Cubs in a three-game series at Wrigley Field starting Friday. The series promises to be a compelling matchup with both teams having finished the first half of the season strongly.
Diamondbacks Building on Strong Pre-Break Performance
Arizona enters the series with a 49-48 record, securing second place in the National League West. They won eight of their last 12 games leading up to the All-Star break, showing resilience and grit.
Leading the charge for the Diamondbacks is second baseman Ketel Marte, who has been exceptional this season. Marte is batting .292 with an impressive 19 doubles, two triples, 19 home runs, 57 RBI, and 64 runs scored. Highlighting his recent form, Marte managed a 3-for-5 game with a homer and four RBI in a nail-biting 8-7 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays just before the break.
Historically, Marte has performed well against the Cubs, batting .278 with five doubles, one triple, five homers, and 14 RBI in 30 career games. His recent run of form included five multi-hit games out of the last nine leading into the All-Star Game, setting the stage for continued success.
Left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. has also been consistent, hitting safely in nine of his past 10 games. He had a standout performance on July 3 that included a 2-for-5 day with a double, a home run, three RBI, and two runs scored against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Leading into the series opener, Arizona will send Ryne Nelson to the mound. Nelson holds a 6-6 record with a 4.98 ERA. His performance will be crucial as the Diamondbacks look to build on their winning momentum.
Cubs Fighting to Stay in Wild Card Contention
The Chicago Cubs are slightly behind with a 47-51 record, placing them fifth in the NL Central. However, their recent form indicates that they are a force to be reckoned with, having won eight of their last 11 games. Notably, the Cubs are just 3.5 games out of the Wild Card, making every win critical at this juncture.
In their previous encounters with the Diamondbacks this season, the Cubs took two out of three games in Phoenix, showcasing their competitiveness. Pitching for Chicago in the series opener will be Justin Steele, who has been impressive this season. Steele boasts a 2-3 record with a stellar 2.71 ERA. His last two starts have resulted in wins, including a dominant seven-inning performance against Baltimore, where he allowed just three hits and struck out four in an 8-0 victory.
Over 14 starts this season, Steele has pitched 86.1 innings, conceding 64 hits, 26 earned runs, 18 walks, and striking out 81, cementing his role as a key player for the Cubs. First baseman Michael Busch has also been in fine form, evidenced by his 3-for-5 showing with a double in a recent 5-4 loss in Game 2 of a doubleheader against St. Louis.
Busch’s batting average of .271 this season, along with his 19 doubles, one triple, 12 homers, 36 RBI, and 46 runs scored over 91 games, highlights his importance to the team’s lineup. During a three-game sweep at Baltimore, Busch went an extraordinary 8-for-15 (.533) with three doubles, one homer, and four RBI, contributing significantly to his team's success.
Historic Rivalry and Betting Odds
Historically, the Diamondbacks hold a slight edge over the Cubs, leading the all-time series 98-85. However, the Cubs have a 46-43 advantage in games played at Wrigley Field, setting the stage for a balanced and exciting series.
The first pitch is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. ET, and the Diamondbacks are listed as a -119 favorite on the money line. Vegas has set the over/under at 7.5 runs, indicating a potentially close and high-stakes game.
As both teams vie for a strong start in the second half of the season, fans can expect a thrilling series marked by excellent individual performances and a fiercely competitive spirit on both sides. The Diamondbacks and Cubs have set the stage for an exciting showdown at one of baseball’s most storied venues.