The Arizona Diamondbacks and the Chicago Cubs, both teams ending the first half of the season on a positive note, are set to rekindle their competitive spirits in a three-game series at Wrigley Field. The series opener on Friday promises high stakes as both teams look to build on their recent successes.
Arizona Diamondbacks' Performance
With a record of 49-48, the Diamondbacks have positioned themselves second in the National League West. They exhibited strong form leading up to the All-Star break, winning eight of their last twelve games. Key to their performance has been second baseman Ketel Marte, who is batting .292 with 19 doubles, two triples, 19 home runs, 57 RBIs, and 64 runs scored.
Marte was particularly formidable in his last game before the break, going 3-for-5 with a home run and four RBIs during a narrow 8-7 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays. In 30 career games against the Cubs, Marte has hit .278 with five doubles, one triple, five home runs, and 14 RBIs. Impressively, he recorded five multi-hit games in his last nine appearances leading up to the All-Star Game.
Left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. has also been instrumental, securing hits in nine of his past 10 games. His performance on July 3 against the Los Angeles Dodgers was notable when he went 2-for-5 with a double, a home run, three RBIs, and two runs scored. In career matchups against the Cubs, Gurriel Jr. has accumulated two doubles, two home runs, and nine RBIs in twelve games.
Taking the mound for Arizona in the series opener will be Ryne Nelson. Nelson has navigated through the season with a 6-6 record and a 4.98 ERA, aiming to anchor his team with a strong start against the Cubs.
Chicago Cubs' Resilience
Sitting at a 47-51 record, the Cubs occupy the fifth spot in the NL Central and are 3.5 games out of the Wild Card. Demonstrating grit, the Cubs have won eight of their last eleven games, which included a two-out-of-three series win against the Diamondbacks in their previous encounter in Phoenix.
Pitching for Chicago in the opener will be Justin Steele, whose record stands at 2-3 with an impressive 2.71 ERA. Steele's recent form has been solid; his last two starts resulted in wins. On July 18, he pitched seven innings, allowing just three hits and striking out four in an 8-0 triumph over Baltimore. Over his 14 starts this season, Steele has pitched 86.1 innings, yielded 64 hits, 26 earned runs, 18 walks, and struck out 81 batters.
Key Players to Watch
The Cubs' offensive lineup will rely heavily on first baseman Michael Busch, who has been on a tear. In Game 2 of a doubleheader against St. Louis last Saturday, Busch went 3-for-5 with a double. During a three-game sweep at Baltimore, he was electric, going 8-for-15 (.533) with three doubles, one home run, and four RBIs. For the season, Busch is batting .271 with 19 doubles, one triple, 12 home runs, 36 RBIs, and 46 runs scored over 91 games.
The Diamondbacks have historically edged out the Cubs with a 98-85 advantage in their all-time series. However, at Wrigley Field, the Cubs hold a slight edge, leading 46-43 in games.
Game Details
The first pitch is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. ET, and the Diamondbacks head into the game as a -119 favorite on the money line. The over/under for runs has been set at 7.5 by Vegas, indicating a potentially high-scoring game given the hitters' form on both sides.
This matchup between the Diamondbacks and the Cubs promises to be a gripping contest as both teams aim to solidify their standings and build momentum for the second half of the season.