This afternoon, the Arizona Diamondbacks will take on the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, with the first pitch scheduled for 2:20 PM ET. The Diamondbacks enter the game as slight money line favorites at -106, but they will face a formidable opponent in Cubs pitcher Justin Steele. Steele, who has made 14 starts this season, boasts a 2-3 record with a 2.71 ERA and has turned in eight quality starts, including a recent performance where he pitched seven scoreless innings.
While Steele's home ERA stands at 3.16, his road ERA is a slightly better 2.96, suggesting that he remains a consistent threat no matter where he pitches. Steele is projected to have six strikeouts in today's game, underscoring his effectiveness and reliability on the mound.
On the other side, the Diamondbacks will send Ryne Nelson to the mound. Nelson holds a 6-6 record with a 4.99 ERA. Despite his higher ERA, Nelson has shown resilience, making six straight starts without surrendering more than three earned runs. His WHIP of 1.42 and a batting average against of .296 indicate that he allows quite a few base runners, but he has managed to mitigate the damage effectively. Nelson is projected to have four strikeouts in today's contest.
Team Performance and Key Players
The Diamondbacks come into this game with a 49-48 overall record, placing them second in the NL West, seven games behind the Dodgers. They have been performing well recently, with a 4-1 record in their last five away games. Their run line record stands identical to their overall record at 49-48. Known for their offensive prowess, the Diamondbacks average five runs per game, the second-best mark in Major League Baseball. Key players include Christian Walker, who has knocked 22 homers this season, and Ketel Marte, who has contributed 19 homers.
Most recently, however, the Diamondbacks suffered a tough loss to the Blue Jays, falling 8-7 after leading by seven runs. Despite this setback, the team has won two straight road games and will be looking to continue their winning streak against the Cubs.
Chicago Cubs: Recent Form and Outlook
The Cubs, entering with a 47-51 record, are fifth in the NL Central, 8.5 games behind the Brewers. Yet, they've shown signs of life recently, going 7-3 in their last ten games and posting a 4-1 record in their last five home games. The Cubs have a divisional record of 12-21 and have been 9-5 as home underdogs this year. Offensively, the Cubs average 4.2 runs per game and possess an overall batting average of .235.
Notable contributions include Nico Hoerner, who has hit .378 over his last nine games, and Christopher Morel, who has belted three homers in his last eight games. Their recent 8-3 victory over the Cardinals saw Jameson Taillon pitching 5 2/3 innings while allowing three earned runs.
Game Predictions and Betting Lines
The game presents an over/under line of 7.5 runs, with both teams riding three-game over streaks. Remarkably, 84.5% of Diamondbacks games surpass the 7.5 run line, and they hold a 6-4 record when the over/under line is set at 7.5. For the Cubs, 67.3% of their games exceed the 7.5 run line, and their record stands at 12-10 under similar betting conditions.
Given the offensive capabilities of the Diamondbacks and the Cubs’ recent form, today’s matchup is poised to be a competitive affair. Steele is anticipated to concede fewer runs than Nelson, with a narrow victory predicted for the Diamondbacks, 5-4.
Bettors and fans alike will be keeping a close eye on this exciting clash at the iconic Wrigley Field, where every play could swing the momentum one way or another.