As the Arizona Diamondbacks and Chicago Cubs prepare to square off in a three-game series at Wrigley Field on Friday, fans are keenly aware that both teams are riding a wave of momentum from strong finishes before the All-Star break. The Diamondbacks, with a record of 49-48, have shown their competitiveness by winning eight of their last 12 games, earning them second place in the National League West.
An essential player for Arizona has been second baseman Ketel Marte. Batting .292, Marte's stats include 19 doubles, two triples, 19 home runs, 57 RBI, and 64 runs scored. His recent performance highlights his prowess; he went 3-for-5 with a homer and four RBI in a narrow 8-7 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays just before the break. Marte's history against the Cubs is equally impressive, batting .278 over 30 career games with five doubles, one triple, five homers, and 14 RBI. Notably, he had five multi-hit games in the last nine leading up to the All-Star Game.
Left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. has also been consistent, securing hits in nine of his past 10 games. His 2-for-5 performance against the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 3, which included a double, a home run, three RBI, and two runs scored, showcases his clutch hitting. Gurriel Jr. remains a danger to opponents, with two doubles, two home runs, and nine RBI in 12 career games against the Cubs.
Pitching Matchups
The Diamondbacks will send Ryne Nelson to the mound for the series opener. Nelson holds a 6-6 record with a 4.98 ERA. The 25-year-old's ability to deliver under pressure will be tested against a Cubs lineup that has found its rhythm.
The Cubs, on the other hand, sit at a 47-51 record, currently fifth in the NL Central but just 3.5 games out of the Wild Card. They have demonstrated resilience by winning eight of their last 11 games, indicating their competitive spirit.
For the Cubs' pitching, Justin Steele will take the ball. With a 2-3 record and a stellar 2.71 ERA over 14 starts this season, Steele's recent form has been impeccable. His last two starts resulted in victories, including an exceptional seven-inning performance against Baltimore where he allowed just three hits and struck out four in an 8-0 win on July 18. Over 86.1 innings this season, Steele has conceded 64 hits and 26 earned runs while issuing only 18 walks and striking out 81 batters.
Key Players to Watch
The Cubs will look to their first baseman Michael Busch to continue his hot streak. Busch had a remarkable series against Baltimore, going 8-for-15 (.533) with three doubles, one homer, and four RBI. His season stats show a .271 average with 19 doubles, one triple, 12 homers, 36 RBI, and 46 runs scored over 91 games. A standout 3-for-5 outing with a double in a close 5-4 loss to St. Louis further cements his value to the team.
Historical data adds another layer of intrigue to the matchup. The Diamondbacks lead the all-time series against the Cubs 98-85, but at Wrigley Field, the Cubs have a slight edge with a 46-43 record.
The first pitch is set for 2:20 p.m. ET, with the Diamondbacks favored at -119 on the money line. The over/under for the game has been set at 7.5 runs, suggesting a potentially close and competitive encounter between two teams eager to maintain their winning form.
As the second half of the season kicks off, both the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Chicago Cubs have much to prove. With key players like Ketel Marte and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. leading the charge for the Diamondbacks, and Michael Busch and Justin Steele performing standout roles for the Cubs, this series at Wrigley Field promises to be a compelling showcase of baseball at its finest.