Arizona Diamondbacks and Chicago Cubs Meet in Crucial Series Opener
As the second half of the Major League Baseball season heats up, two teams looking to continue their positive momentum will clash at Wrigley Field. The Arizona Diamondbacks, currently second in the National League West with a 49-48 record, will face the Chicago Cubs, fifth in the NL Central with a 47-51 record, in a three-game series starting this Friday.
The Diamondbacks have been on a roll, winning eight of their last 12 games before the All-Star break. Their roster boasts standout performances, particularly from second baseman Ketel Marte. Marte is contributing significantly to Arizona’s offense with a .292 batting average, 19 home runs, and 57 RBIs. He also showed excellent form just before the break, going 3-for-5 with a home run and four RBIs in a tightly contested 8-7 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays.
Marte's consistency against the Cubs is worth noting, as he has a .278 batting average across 30 career games against Chicago, including five homers and 14 RBIs. Leading up to the All-Star Game, he had five multi-hit games in his last nine appearances, a testament to his current form.
Supporting Marte in the lineup is left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr., who has hit safely in nine of his last 10 games. His recent performance highlights include a 2-for-5 game with a double, a home run, and three RBIs against the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 3. Gurriel's history against the Cubs suggests he may continue to be a pivotal player, with two doubles, two home runs, and nine RBIs in 12 career games against them.
Ryne Nelson will be taking the mound for Arizona in the opener. Nelson has had an up-and-down season, holding a 6-6 record with a 4.98 ERA, but the Diamondbacks will be counting on him to set the tone early in this key series.
On the other side, the Cubs have been showing their mettle, winning eight of their last 11 games and proving they are still in the hunt for the postseason, just 3.5 games out of the Wild Card. They also have the confidence from having won two out of three games in their earlier meetings against the Diamondbacks in Phoenix.
Justin Steele will be on the hill for Chicago. Steele has been one of the bright spots for the Cubs’ rotation, boasting a 2.71 ERA despite a 2-3 record. His recent performances have been stellar, including a seven-inning outing against Baltimore where he allowed just three hits and struck out four in an 8-0 victory. Over 14 starts this season, Steele has pitched 86.1 innings and recorded 81 strikeouts against only 18 walks.
The Cubs’ offense has been energized by first baseman Michael Busch, who has shown a hot bat recently. Busch had a standout performance in a doubleheader against St. Louis, going 3-for-5 with a double in the second game’s 5-4 loss. Overall, he’s batting .271 with 19 doubles, 12 home runs, and 36 RBIs this season. His July performance was particularly eye-catching, including an impressive 8-for-15 streak with three doubles, a homer, and four RBIs during a sweep at Baltimore.
Historically, the Diamondbacks hold a slight edge over the Cubs, leading the all-time series 98-85. However, the Cubs have the advantage at Wrigley Field, with a 46-43 record against Arizona when playing at home. This adds another layer of intrigue to the series, which promises to be a tightly contested affair.
The first pitch is set for 2:20 p.m. ET, with the Diamondbacks entering as a slight favorite. As set by Vegas, the over/under stands at 7.5 runs, reflecting the expectations of a competitive and potentially high-scoring game.