Arizona Diamondbacks Meet Chicago Cubs in Pivotal Series
As the second half of the 2023 MLB season gets underway, the Arizona Diamondbacks and Chicago Cubs find themselves in crucial positions, clashing in a three-game series at Wrigley Field starting on Friday. Both teams wrapped up the first half with strong performances, poised to make significant pushes in their respective divisions.
Diamondbacks on a Roll
The Diamondbacks enter the series with a 49-48 record, sitting second in the National League West. They finished the first half on a high note, winning eight of their last twelve games. Key to their success is second baseman Ketel Marte, who has been on fire, batting .292 with 19 doubles, two triples, 19 home runs, 57 RBI, and 64 runs scored to date. Marte put up an impressive 3-for-5 performance, including a home run and four RBI in an 8-7 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays just before the All-Star break. Historically, Marte has shown consistency against the Cubs, hitting .278 with five doubles, a triple, five home runs, and 14 RBI over 30 career games.
Another strong performer for the Diamondbacks has been left fielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. He closed out the first half with hits in nine of his past ten games. Highlighting this streak was a noteworthy 2-for-5 game featuring a double, a home run, three RBI, and two runs scored against the Los Angeles Dodgers on July 3. In his limited appearances against the Cubs, Gurriel Jr. has notched two doubles, two home runs, and nine RBI across 12 games, underlining his offensive reliability.
On the mound for the series opener will be Ryne Nelson. Sporting a 6-6 record and a 4.98 ERA, Nelson will look to anchor the Diamondbacks’ pitching efforts. His role will be pivotal as they face a Cubs lineup that has gained momentum recently.
Cubs' Resurgence
Meanwhile, the Cubs find themselves fifth in the NL Central with a 47-51 record, but only 3.5 games out of the Wild Card. They also come into the series with their heads held high, having won eight of their last eleven games. During their previous encounter in Phoenix, the Cubs managed to take two out of three games from the Diamondbacks, showing they have what it takes to prevail.
Pivotal to the Cubs' current success is pitcher Justin Steele, who will start in the series opener. Steele has quietly been putting together a stellar season, holding a 2-3 record paired with a 2.71 ERA. His last two outings resulted in victories, including an impressive seven-inning shutout against the Baltimore Orioles on July 18 where he conceded just three hits and struck out four. Over 14 starts this season, Steele has racked up 86.1 innings, allowing 64 hits, 26 earned runs, 18 walks, and 81 strikeouts, evidencing his precision and endurance.
Another key contributor for the Cubs has been first baseman Michael Busch. He delivered a robust 3-for-5 performance with a double in Game 2 of a doubleheader against the St. Louis Cardinals last Saturday. Busch’s recent form has been noteworthy, going 8-for-15 (.533) with three doubles, a homer, and four RBI during a three-game sweep at Baltimore. This season, Busch is hitting .271 with 19 doubles, a triple, 12 home runs, 36 RBI, and 46 runs scored over 91 games.
Historical and Betting Perspectives
Historically, the Diamondbacks lead the all-time series against the Cubs with a 98-85 advantage. However, the Cubs hold the edge when playing at home with a 46-43 record at Wrigley Field. The upcoming series promises to be competitive, with both teams eyeing critical wins to strengthen their playoff aspirations.
According to Vegas, Arizona is slightly favored with a -119 money line, and the over/under is set at 7.5 runs. These figures underline the closely matched nature of this encounter, with both sides bringing solid recent form into the contest.
The first pitch is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. ET on Friday, setting the stage for what promises to be an intense and pivotal series in the latter half of the MLB season.