This afternoon, the Diamondbacks will face off against the Cubs at Wrigley Field in Chicago at 2:20 PM ET. The Diamondbacks, finding themselves slight money line favorites at -106, are looking to further solidify their position as they chase the Dodgers in the NL West.
Pitching Matchup
Today's pitching duel features Justin Steele for the Cubs and Ryne Nelson for the Diamondbacks. Steele, with 14 starts under his belt this season, boasts a 2-3 record accompanied by an impressive 2.71 ERA. His consistency has been exemplified by his eight quality starts. Highlighting his recent form, Steele pitched seven scoreless innings in his most recent outing. Steele presents a slightly different challenge at Wrigley, with a home ERA of 3.16 compared to his road ERA of 2.96.
On the other side, Ryne Nelson takes the mound for the Diamondbacks. Nelson's 6-6 record with a 4.99 ERA might not jump off the page, but his effectiveness in recent starts cannot be overlooked. Nelson has gone six consecutive starts without surrendering more than three earned runs. Despite his WHIP of 1.42 and a batting average against of .296, Nelson's recent form suggests he could offer stiff competition today.
Team Form and Standings
The Diamondbacks currently hold a 49-48 record, sitting second in the NL West, seven games behind the Dodgers. They have shown resilience on the road, winning their last two away games and posting a 4-1 record in their last five road outings. Their overall run line record stands at 49-48, and they average five runs per game, the second-best mark in Major League Baseball. Christian Walker and Ketel Marte have been pivotal to their offensive success, with 22 and 19 home runs, respectively.
However, it's not been entirely smooth sailing recently for Arizona, who saw a significant lead slip away in an 8-7 loss to the Blue Jays. Despite that setback, the Diamondbacks have managed to bounce back effectively, securing two straight victories on the road.
The Cubs, meanwhile, sport a 47-51 record, positioning them fifth in the NL Central, 8.5 games behind the division-leading Brewers. The team has found some rhythm recently, going 7-3 in their last ten games and securing a 4-1 record in their last five home games. Statistically, the Cubs average 4.2 runs per game, and their overall batting average stands at .235.
Key Players to Watch
For the Cubs, Nico Hoerner has been exceptional, hitting .378 over his last nine games. Meanwhile, Christopher Morel has added power to their lineup, with three home runs in his last eight outings. These two players could play a significant role in countering Arizona's strong pitching setup.
The Diamondbacks, aside from Walker and Marte's home run prowess, exhibit impressive depth offensively. They have managed an overall over/under record of 52-42, with their games averaging 9.8 runs this season. This statistic highlights the team's balanced attack, capable of scoring in various ways.
Game Predictions
The game has an over/under line set at 7.5 runs, and both teams are presently riding three-game over streaks. Interestingly, 84.5% of Diamondbacks games this season have surpassed the 7.5 run line. Furthermore, when the over/under line is set at 7.5, the Diamondbacks have a 6-4 record, whereas the Cubs stand at 12-10 under similar conditions.
Justin Steele is projected to achieve six strikeouts in today's game, while Ryne Nelson is forecasted to claim four. Analysts anticipate Steele conceding fewer runs compared to Nelson, potentially making the difference in this matchup. As it stands, the experts are predicting a narrow victory for the Diamondbacks, with a scoreline of 5-4.
Today's encounter between the Diamondbacks and the Cubs promises to be an intriguing contest, blending strong pitching performances with potent offensive displays. Fans will certainly be in for a classic Wrigley Field showdown as these two teams continue to battle for momentum in their respective divisions.