As the second half of the Major League Baseball season kicks off, the Arizona Diamondbacks are set to face the Chicago Cubs in a three-game series at Wrigley Field, Chicago. Both teams are coming off impressive surges, finishing the first half of the season with remarkable momentum.
Diamondbacks Surge Towards Contention
The Arizona Diamondbacks find themselves at 49-48, holding the second spot in the highly competitive National League West. The team’s recent performance has been a testament to their resilience, winning eight of their last 12 games leading up to the All-Star break.
A crucial contributor to the Diamondbacks' success has been second baseman Ketel Marte. He is posting impressive numbers, batting .292 with 19 doubles, two triples, 19 homers, 57 RBI, and 64 runs scored. Marte has demonstrated his prowess at the plate, spotlighted by his 3-for-5 showing with a homer and four RBI in an 8-7 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays just before the break. He has been particularly effective against the Cubs, hitting .278 with five doubles, one triple, five homers, and 14 RBI in 30 career games.
Additionally, outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. has also been in fine form, notching hits in nine of his past 10 games. His 2-for-5 performance, featuring a double, a home run, three RBI, and two runs scored against the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 3, underscores his critical role in the Diamondbacks' lineup. In his 12 career games against the Cubs, Gurriel Jr. has accumulated two doubles, two home runs, and nine RBI.
On the mound for Arizona in the series opener will be Ryne Nelson. The right-hander enters the game with a 6-6 record and a 4.98 ERA, hoping to build on the team’s recent run of form.
Cubs Eye a Wild Card Spot
Meanwhile, the Chicago Cubs, despite their 47-51 record and fifth position in the NL Central, remain just 3.5 games out of the Wild Card race. Their recent streak of eight wins in the last 11 games signals a team that’s not ready to fade away.
Leading the charge from the mound for the Cubs is Justin Steele. With a 2-3 record and an impressive 2.71 ERA, Steele’s last two starts have both been victories. On July 18, he delivered a dominant performance, pitching seven innings and allowing just three hits while striking out four in an 8-0 win against Baltimore. Across his 14 starts this season, Steele has clocked 86.1 innings, giving up 64 hits, 26 earned runs, 18 walks, and recording 81 strikeouts.
First baseman Michael Busch has also been a bright spot for Chicago, going 3-for-5 with a double in a narrow 5-4 loss to St. Louis in Game 2 of a doubleheader last Saturday. Busch compiled a stellar .533 average, with three doubles, a homer, and four RBI during a three-game sweep at Baltimore. His season stats reflect a consistent performer batting .271 with 19 doubles, one triple, 12 homers, 36 RBI, and 46 runs scored over 91 games.
Historical Edge and Betting Odds
Historically, the Diamondbacks hold a slight edge over the Cubs, leading the all-time series 98-85. However, when it comes to games at Wrigley Field, the Cubs have a narrow advantage, boasting a 46-43 record.
With the first pitch scheduled for 2:20 p.m. ET, all eyes will be on this matchup as both teams aim to keep their postseason hopes alive. The Diamondbacks are favored at –119 on the money line, with Vegas setting the over/under at 7.5 runs, hinting at a competitive clash in the Windy City.
As the season progresses, performances in series like these could be pivotal in determining playoff berths. Both the Diamondbacks and Cubs will be keen to make a strong statement in this series and continue the momentum they’ve built in recent weeks.