Friday Showdown: Diamondbacks vs. Cubs at Wrigley Field
Teams finishing the first half of the season on a high note meet Friday as the Arizona Diamondbacks face off against the Chicago Cubs in a three-game series at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Both teams look to extend their positive momentum into the second half of the season.
Currently, the Diamondbacks boast a 49-48 record, positioning them comfortably in second place in the National League West. Arizona showed remarkable form as they won eight of their last 12 games leading up to the All-Star break. The team will be hoping to continue their strong performance as they head into this crucial series.
One of the standout players for Arizona this season has been second baseman Ketel Marte. Marte is batting .292 with 19 doubles, two triples, 19 home runs, 57 RBI, and 64 runs scored. Notably, Marte went 3-for-5 with a home run and four RBI in an 8-7 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays just before the break. In 30 career games against Chicago, Marte is batting .278 with five doubles, one triple, five home runs, and 14 RBI. His recent form has been particularly impressive, with five multi-hit games out of the last nine leading up to the All-Star Game.
Left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. has also been in excellent form, hitting safely in nine of his past 10 games. Gurriel Jr. showcased his power with a 2-for-5 performance, including a double and a home run, with three RBI and two runs scored on July 3 against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Over his 12 career games against the Cubs, Gurriel Jr. has recorded two doubles, two home runs, and nine RBI.
On the mound for Arizona in the series opener will be Ryne Nelson. Nelson holds a 6-6 record with a 4.98 ERA and will look to maintain consistency in his pitching as he faces the Cubs' lineup.
The Chicago Cubs enter the series with a 47-51 record, placing them fifth in the NL Central. The Cubs are 3.5 games out of the Wild Card and will be keen to close this gap. Their recent performance has been encouraging, with the team winning eight of their last 11 games. The Cubs demonstrated their competitive edge by taking two out of three games against the Diamondbacks during their earlier meetings in Phoenix.
Leading the pitching efforts for Chicago will be Justin Steele. Steele has a 2-3 record and an impressive 2.71 ERA. His last two starts were victories, with his most recent start seeing him pitch seven innings, allowing just three hits while striking out four in an 8-0 win against Baltimore on July 18. Over his 14 starts this season, Steele has pitched 86.1 innings, allowed 64 hits, 26 earned runs, 18 walks, and struck out 81.
First baseman Michael Busch has also been a key player for the Cubs. Busch went 3-for-5 with a double in a 5-4 loss during Game 2 of a doubleheader against St. Louis last Saturday. He displayed his hitting prowess during a three-game sweep at Baltimore, going 8-for-15 (.533) with three doubles, one home run, and four RBI. This season, Busch is batting .271 with 19 doubles, one triple, 12 home runs, 36 RBI, and 46 runs scored over 91 games.
Historically, the Diamondbacks lead the all-time series against the Cubs with a 98-85 record. However, the Cubs hold a narrow edge in games played at Wrigley Field, leading 46-43. This sets the stage for an exciting and competitive series.
The first pitch is set for 2:20 p.m. ET. The Diamondbacks are currently favored at –119 on the money line, with Vegas setting the over/under at 7.5 runs. As both teams look to build on their impressive recent form, fans can expect a thrilling encounter at one of baseball’s most iconic venues.