As the second half of the MLB season kicks off, two teams looking to build on strong finishes to the first half will clash at Wrigley Field. The Arizona Diamondbacks and the Chicago Cubs both come into this three-game series with renewed vigor and playoff aspirations.
Diamondbacks Aiming High
With a 49-48 record, the Arizona Diamondbacks are currently holding the second spot in the competitive National League West. Ending the first half with eight wins in their last 12 games, they showed resilience and determination. A pivotal figure in their lineup has been second baseman Ketel Marte, who combines consistent batting with power-hitting. Marte is batting .292, with 19 doubles, two triples, 19 home runs, and 57 RBI, accompanied by an impressive 64 runs scored.
Marte's recent performance highlights his form: he went 3-for-5 and hit a homer with four RBI in an 8-7 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays just before the All-Star break. His record against the Cubs is also notable, with a .278 batting average over 30 career games, including five doubles, one triple, five homers, and 14 RBI. Additionally, Marte had five multi-hit games out of the last nine, demonstrating his knack for clutch performances.
Adding to the Diamondbacks' offensive prowess is left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr., who has found his stride with hits in nine of his past 10 games. On July 3, against the Los Angeles Dodgers, Gurriel Jr. went 2-for-5, including a double, a home run, three RBI, and two runs scored. In his limited appearances against the Cubs, he has managed two doubles, two home runs, and nine RBI in 12 career games.
Arizona will rely on right-handed pitcher Ryne Nelson in the series opener. Nelson holds a 6-6 record with a 4.98 ERA, aiming to capitalize on the momentum his team has built.
Cubs Gearing Up
The Chicago Cubs, with a 47-51 record, are fifth in the NL Central but only 3.5 games out of the Wild Card spot, illustrating their potential to make a postseason push. Winning eight of their last 11 games, the Cubs have displayed tenacity. In their earlier meetings in Phoenix, the Cubs took two out of three games from the Diamondbacks, adding an extra layer of intrigue to this series.
Justin Steele, with a 2-3 record and a stellar 2.71 ERA, will take the mound for Chicago. Steele has been a consistently bright spot in the Cubs' rotation. In his last outing, Steele pitched seven innings, allowing only three hits while striking out four in an 8-0 victory against Baltimore on July 18. Over the course of his 14 starts this season, Steele has pitched 86.1 innings, allowed 64 hits, 26 earned runs, walked 18, and struck out 81, showing both control and dominance.
First baseman Michael Busch has also contributed significantly to the Cubs' offense. Busch went 3-for-5 with a double in a closely contested 5-4 loss in the second game of a doubleheader against St. Louis last Saturday. During a series sweep at Baltimore, Busch went 8-for-15 (.533) with three doubles, one homer, and four RBI, highlighting his impactful hitting.
This season, Busch is batting .271 with 19 doubles, one triple, 12 homers, 36 RBI, and 46 runs scored over 91 games, making him a key figure in the Cubs’ lineup.
Series Outlook
Historically, the Diamondbacks have a slight edge in their all-time series against the Cubs, leading 98-85. However, at Wrigley Field, the Cubs hold a 46-43 advantage, demonstrating their comfort at home. As both teams look to kick off the second half of the season on a high note, the dynamics of this series could have significant implications for their playoff hopes.
The first pitch is set for 2:20 p.m. ET, with the Diamondbacks entering the game as a –119 favorite on the money line. Vegas has set the over/under at 7.5 runs, indicative of a potentially competitive and high-scoring affair. Fans and analysts alike will be watching closely as these two teams, both riding waves of recent success, compete for valuable wins in their quest for postseason glory.