The Arizona Diamondbacks are set to face off against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field this afternoon, with the first pitch scheduled for 2:20 PM ET. This matchup brings together two teams looking to gain traction as they chase critical wins in their respective divisions.
Diamondbacks Slight Favorites
Entering today's game, the Diamondbacks hold a slight edge as money line favorites at -106. With a 49-48 overall record, Arizona sits in second place in the NL West, trailing the formidable Dodgers by seven games. The Diamondbacks have shown resilience on the road, sporting a 4-1 record in their last five away games.
The Diamondbacks will lean on Ryne Nelson, who will be taking the mound today. Nelson has had a mixed season, currently holding a 6-6 record with a 4.99 ERA. Despite his fluctuating numbers, Nelson has demonstrated consistency in his recent outings, making six straight starts without surrendering more than three earned runs. Additionally, Nelson's WHIP stands at 1.42, with opponents batting .296 against him.
Cubs' Confidence at Home
The Cubs, with a 47-51 record, have seen a resurgence, winning seven of their last ten games. Their home form has also been impressive, boasting a 4-1 record in their last five games at Wrigley Field. Despite being fifth in the NL Central and sitting 8.5 games behind the Brewers, the Cubs are looking to capitalize on their recent momentum.
Justin Steele will be the starting pitcher for Chicago. Steele has made 14 starts this season, holding a 2-3 record with a 2.71 ERA. His impressive performance includes eight quality starts and a home ERA of 3.16. Steele's resilience was on full display in his most recent outing, where he pitched seven scoreless innings. The expectations are high for his six projected strikeouts and the belief that he will concede fewer runs than his counterpart, Nelson.
Offensive Highlights
Offensively, the Diamondbacks have been a powerhouse, averaging five runs per game, the second-best mark in MLB. Christian Walker and Ketel Marte have been instrumental, hitting 22 and 19 homers respectively. However, Arizona will need to bounce back from a recent 8-7 defeat to the Blue Jays, a game in which they squandered a seven-run lead.
The Cubs, on the other hand, average 4.2 runs per game with an overall team batting average of .235. Nico Hoerner and Christopher Morel have provided recent sparks. Hoerner has been on a tear, hitting .378 over his last nine games, while Morel has added power with three homers in his last eight games.
Betting and Over/Under Insights
Today's game carries an over/under line of 7.5 runs. Both teams have been on a trend of high-scoring affairs, with each riding three-game over streaks. Notably, 84.5% of Diamondbacks games surpass the 7.5 run line, while the Cubs have a 67.3% rate of surpassing the same mark. Historically, the Diamondbacks hold a 6-4 record, and the Cubs are 12-10 when the over/under line is set at 7.5 runs.
As the Diamondbacks aim to maintain their winning ways on the road, the Cubs will look to translate their recent form into another home victory. With a narrow prediction of a 5-4 victory favoring Arizona, fans can anticipate a thrilling contest between these two determined squads at Wrigley Field.