Diamondbacks and Cubs Set for Critical Series at Wrigley Field
Teams riding a wave of momentum as the first half of the season concluded are set to collide on Friday, with the Arizona Diamondbacks squaring off against the Chicago Cubs in a three-game series at Wrigley Field. As both teams seek to solidify their standings, this series promises to bring high stakes and intense competition.
Arizona's Ascent
The Arizona Diamondbacks, sporting a 49-48 record, have positioned themselves second in the National League West. Key to their rise has been a strong finish to the first half, winning eight of their last 12 games heading into the All-Star break. Second baseman Ketel Marte has been instrumental, batting .292 and amassing 19 doubles, two triples, 19 home runs, 57 RBI, and 64 runs scored. His recent performance was highlighted by a 3-for-5 effort, featuring a homer and four RBI, in an 8-7 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays.
Marte's history against the Cubs adds another layer of intrigue, as he holds a .278 batting average over 30 career games against them, with five doubles, one triple, five home runs, and 14 RBI. Adding to the Diamondbacks' offensive firepower, left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. has been on a tear, with hits in nine of his past 10 games. Gurriel had a standout game on July 3 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, going 2-for-5 with a double, a home run, three RBI, and two runs scored.
Pitching Duel
Taking the mound for Arizona in the series opener will be Ryne Nelson. Nelson, carrying a 6-6 record with a 4.98 ERA, will look to set the tone for the Diamondbacks. On the other side, the Cubs will counter with Justin Steele, whose impressive 2.71 ERA and recent form make him a formidable opponent. Steele has won his last two starts, including a dominant 7-inning performance against Baltimore where he allowed just three hits while striking out four in an 8-0 victory. Over 14 starts this season, Steele has been a model of consistency, pitching 86.1 innings and striking out 81 batters while maintaining a low walk count.
Cubs' Resolve
The Chicago Cubs, with a 47-51 record, find themselves fifth in the NL Central, just 3.5 games out of a Wild Card spot. They've shown grit and form, winning eight of their last 11 games. Their earlier meetings with the Diamondbacks in Phoenix resulted in taking two out of three games, giving them a slight edge in this matchup.
First baseman Michael Busch has been a bright spot for the Cubs, recently going 3-for-5 with a double in a narrow 5-4 loss to St. Louis. Busch's consistent performance continued in a three-game sweep at Baltimore, where he went 8-for-15 (.533) with three doubles, one home run, and four RBI. This season, he's batting .271 with 19 doubles, one triple, 12 homers, 36 RBI, and 46 runs scored over 91 games.
Head-to-Head History
Historically, the Diamondbacks lead the all-time series against the Cubs 98-85. However, the Cubs hold a 46-43 advantage in games played at Wrigley Field. With the first pitch set for 2:20 p.m. ET, the Diamondbacks are favored at –119 on the money line, and Vegas has set the over/under at 7.5 runs. This series not only promises excitement but also has significant playoff implications for both teams trying to make a statement in the season's second half.
Expect both teams to bring their best as they look to carry their recent momentum through this pivotal series.