Preview: Diamondbacks vs. Cubs at Wrigley Field
This afternoon, baseball fans will be treated to an intriguing matchup as the Arizona Diamondbacks take on the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field. The first pitch is scheduled for 2:20 PM ET. The Diamondbacks, slight money line favorites at -106, are looking to continue their recent success on the road while the Cubs aim to build on their improved form over the past ten games.
Pitching Matchup
Justin Steele will be on the mound for the Cubs. The left-hander has been a consistent presence for Chicago this season, evidenced by his 2-3 record and impressive 2.71 ERA. In his 14 starts, Steele has delivered eight quality outings. His most recent performance saw him pitch seven scoreless innings, and he boasts a home ERA of 3.16. Conversely, Steele has been slightly more effective on the road with a 2.96 ERA.
Opposing Steele will be Ryne Nelson of the Diamondbacks. Nelson’s season has been a mixed bag, reflected in his 6-6 record and a 4.99 ERA. Although his WHIP of 1.42 and batting average against of .296 might raise concerns, Nelson has shown resilience by not surrendering more than three earned runs in his last six starts.
Team Form and Key Players
The Diamondbacks, holding a 49-48 overall record, are currently second in the NL West, trailing the Dodgers by seven games. Despite their middle-of-the-road record, Arizona has been impressive on the road recently. They’ve posted a 4-1 record in their last five away games and have won two straight road games. Their offense has been potent, averaging five runs per game—the second-best mark in Major League Baseball.
Key contributors to Arizona’s offensive prowess include Christian Walker and Ketel Marte, who have clocked in 22 and 19 homers respectively. However, the Diamondbacks are coming off a disappointing performance where they blew a seven-run lead to lose 8-7 to the Blue Jays.
The Cubs, with a 47-51 record, are fifth in the NL Central, a full 8.5 games behind the Brewers. Chicago has shown signs of life lately, winning seven of their last ten games, including a 4-1 record in their last five home games. Offensively, the Cubs average 4.2 runs per game. Nico Hoerner has been a bright spot, hitting .378 over his last nine games, while Christopher Morel has contributed three homers in his last eight.
Over/Under Trends
The game’s over/under is set at 7.5 runs, a line that has been frequently surpassed by both teams this season. Notably, 84.5% of Diamondbacks games and 67.3% of Cubs games have exceeded this mark. Arizona holds a 6-4 record when the over/under is set at 7.5, while the Cubs are 12-10 in similar situations. Both teams are on three-game over streaks, indicating a propensity for high-scoring affairs.
Predictions
Projections for today’s game suggest Justin Steele is likely to record six strikeouts, while Ryne Nelson is anticipated to notch four. Steele is also expected to concede fewer runs than Nelson, a critical factor given the offensive capabilities of both teams.
With the Diamondbacks riding a wave of road success and holding a better overall record, they're pegged for a narrow 5-4 victory over the Cubs, according to the latest predictions.
Today’s game promises to be a captivating contest between two teams striving for consistency and an edge in their respective divisions. With potent offenses and reliable starting pitchers, it’s poised to be an exciting afternoon of baseball at Wrigley Field.