Teams that ended the first half of the season on a positive note are set to collide on Friday as the Arizona Diamondbacks face the Chicago Cubs in a three-game series at Wrigley Field in Chicago.
The Arizona Diamondbacks, with a record of 49-48, are positioned second in the National League West. They have shown strong form, winning eight of their last 12 games leading up to the All-Star break. Their second baseman, Ketel Marte, has been a standout player, boasting a .292 batting average with 19 doubles, two triples, 19 home runs, 57 RBIs, and 64 runs scored. Marte went 3-for-5 with a homer and four RBIs in an 8-7 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays just before the All-Star break. In his 30 career games against Chicago, 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 before the mid-season pause.
Left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. has also been in fine form, recording hits in nine of his past 10 games. Gurriel Jr. delivered a 2-for-5 performance, including a double, a home run, three RBIs, and two runs scored on July 3 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. His career stats against the Cubs include two doubles, two home runs, and nine RBIs in 12 games.
On the mound for Arizona in the series opener will be Ryne Nelson, who holds a 6-6 record with a 4.98 ERA. Nelson will aim to maintain the Diamondbacks' momentum against a persistent Cubs lineup.
The Chicago Cubs, holding a 47-51 record and currently sitting fifth in the NL Central, are 3.5 games out of the Wild Card. They too are in good form, having won eight of their last 11 games, reflecting the team's resilience and determination. The Cubs have fond memories from their earlier meetings with the Diamondbacks this season, having taken two out of three games in Phoenix.
Justin Steele will be pitching for Chicago. Steele has a commendable 2-3 record and an impressive 2.71 ERA. His last two starts were wins, including a stellar performance against Baltimore on July 18, where he pitched seven innings, allowing just three hits while striking out four in an 8-0 victory. Throughout the season, Steele has shown remarkable consistency, pitching 86.1 innings over 14 starts, surrendering 64 hits, 26 earned runs, and 18 walks while striking out 81.
First baseman Michael Busch has been another bright spot for the Cubs, recently going 3-for-5 with a double in a 5-4 loss in Game 2 of a doubleheader against St. Louis last Saturday. Busch shone during a three-game sweep at Baltimore, going 8-for-15 (.533) with three doubles, one homer, and four RBIs. This season, Busch is batting .271 with 19 doubles, one triple, 12 home runs, 36 RBIs, and 46 runs scored over 91 games.
Historically, the Diamondbacks lead the all-time series against the Cubs 98-85. However, the Cubs have the advantage at Wrigley Field, holding a 46-43 record in games played there. With the first pitch set for 2:20 p.m. ET, anticipation is high for what promises to be an intense and competitive series.
The Diamondbacks enter the game as a slight favorite with a –119 money line. Vegas sportsbooks have set the over/under at 7.5 runs, indicating a closely contested match is expected.
Both teams have demonstrated grit and consistency, making this series crucial for their postseason ambitions. As the Diamondbacks and Cubs go head-to-head, fans can look forward to a thrilling encounter between two teams eager to make their mark in the second half of the season.