As the second half of the MLB season gets underway, fans are in for a treat this Friday when the Arizona Diamondbacks clash with the Chicago Cubs in a highly anticipated three-game series at Wrigley Field in Chicago. Both teams have found their rhythm recently and will look to build on their momentum in what promises to be an exciting matchup.
Diamondbacks Riding High
The Arizona Diamondbacks come into the series with a 49-48 record, placing them second in the National League West. The team ended the first half of the season strong, winning eight of their last twelve games. A major contributor to their success has been second baseman Ketel Marte. Batting .292, Marte boasts impressive stats: 19 doubles, two triples, 19 home runs, 57 RBI, and 64 runs scored. His recent performance against the Toronto Blue Jays, where he went 3-for-5 with a homer and four RBI in an 8-7 loss, underscores his importance to the team.
Marte has also proven himself against Chicago, with a .278 batting average in 30 career games, including five doubles, one triple, five homers, and 14 RBI. His five multi-hit games out of the last nine heading into the All-Star break indicate a player in peak form.
Another player to watch is Lourdes Gurriel Jr., the left fielder who has had hits in nine of his past ten games. Gurriel's 2-for-5 performance against the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 3—including a double, a home run, three RBI, and two runs scored—highlights his ability to deliver under pressure. His career performance against the Cubs, featuring two doubles, two home runs, and nine RBI in 12 games, adds another layer of intrigue to the upcoming series.
Arizona will start the series with Ryne Nelson on the mound. Nelson currently holds a 6-6 record with a 4.98 ERA, and his consistency will be crucial in setting the tone for the Diamondbacks.
Cubs Seeking a Turnaround
On the other side, the Chicago Cubs have a 47-51 record and are fifth in the NL Central. Just 3.5 games out of the Wild Card, the Cubs have shown resilience by winning eight of their last eleven games. Their earlier meetings with the Diamondbacks in Phoenix saw them take two out of three games, giving them a psychological edge.
Pitching for the Cubs in the series opener will be Justin Steele. Steele's 2-3 record and a 2.71 ERA may seem modest, but his recent form speaks volumes. His last two starts were victories, including a commanding seven-inning performance where he allowed just three hits and struck 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 in exceptional form, going 3-for-5 with a double in a 5-4 loss to St. Louis in the second game of a doubleheader last Saturday. Busch's recent series against Baltimore, in which he went 8-for-15 with three doubles, one homer, and four RBI, further demonstrates his offensive prowess.
The Matchup
The historical context adds another layer of excitement. The Diamondbacks lead the all-time series against the Cubs 98-85, but the Cubs hold a slight edge in games played at Wrigley Field, with a 46-43 record. With the first pitch set for 2:20 p.m. ET, fans will be eager to see whether history will tilt in favor of the Cubs or if the Diamondbacks will continue their recent surge.
Adding to the stakes, the Diamondbacks are currently the favorites on the money line at –119, with Vegas setting the over/under at 7.5 runs. Given the recent performances on both sides, this series opener promises to be a tightly contested battle that could go either way.
Friday's game is a must-watch for any baseball enthusiast. With key players like Ketel Marte and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. for the Diamondbacks and Justin Steele and Michael Busch for the Cubs, the stage is set for a thrilling encounter that will likely set the tone for the remainder of the season for both teams.