Season So Far
The Arizona Diamondbacks and the Chicago Cubs, two teams that ended the first half of the season with positive momentum, are set to square off in a three-game series at the iconic Wrigley Field. Both teams are looking to build on their recent successes as they eye crucial wins that could shape their postseason aspirations.
The Arizona Diamondbacks enter the series with a 49-48 record, holding second place in the National League West. Their form leading up to the All-Star break was impressive, winning eight out of their last twelve games. Much of the team’s success can be attributed to the stellar performances of key players like second baseman Ketel Marte and left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
Key Players
Ketel Marte has been a standout performer for the Diamondbacks. With a batting average of .292, Marte has accumulated 19 doubles, two triples, 19 home runs, 57 RBI, and 64 runs scored. His impressive performance includes a 3-for-5 effort with a homer and four RBIs in their close 8-7 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays right before the break. Marte’s efficiency against the Cubs is also noteworthy; he has batted .278 with five doubles, one triple, five home runs, and 14 RBI across 30 career games against them. His consistency is highlighted by five multi-hit games out of the last nine leading into the All-Star Game.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. has also been instrumental, with hits in nine of his last ten games. On July 3, against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Gurriel went 2-for-5, with his contributions including a double, a home run, three RBI, and two runs scored. Over his 12 career games against the Cubs, he has two doubles, two home runs, and nine RBI.
Arizona’s pitching lineup for the series will feature Ryne Nelson. Nelson holds a 6-6 record coupled with a 4.98 ERA. Though these stats may not jump off the page, Nelson has shown the ability to be a reliable starter for the Diamondbacks.
The Cubs' Perspective
On the other side, the Chicago Cubs have a 47-51 record, currently placing them fifth in the National League Central. They are 3.5 games behind in the Wild Card race, and their recent performance shows a team with resilience and determination, winning eight of their last eleven games.
The Cubs’ pitching duties in the opener will fall to Justin Steele, who boasts a more impressive set of statistics with a 2-3 record and a 2.71 ERA. Steele has been in particularly good form, securing victories in his last two starts. His standout performance came on July 18, where he pitched seven innings allowing just three hits while striking out four in an 8-0 victory against the Baltimore Orioles. Over his 14 starts this season, Steele has pitched 86.1 innings, conceding 64 hits, 26 earned runs, 18 walks, and striking out 81 batters.
Offensive Contributions
Among the Cubs’ batters, first baseman Michael Busch has shown promise. In a 5-4 loss to St. Louis during Game 2 of a doubleheader, Busch went 3-for-5 with a double. More impressively, during a series against Baltimore, he had an 8-for-15 streak (.533 batting average) that included three doubles, a home run, and four RBI. Overall, Busch is batting .271 this season with 19 doubles, one triple, 12 home runs, 36 RBI, and 46 runs scored over 91 games.
Historically, the Diamondbacks hold a slight edge in the all-time series against the Cubs, leading 98-85, although the Cubs have a better record at home with a 46-43 advantage at Wrigley Field.
Game Details
The first pitch of the series is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. ET. Arizona is slightly favored, with a –119 line, while the over/under for the game has been set at 7.5 runs.
Both teams will look to leverage their key players and recent success to make a strong push in the second half of the season. For fans and analysts alike, this series promises a blend of tight pitching duels and explosive batting displays.