Diamondbacks vs. Cubs Preview: Steele and Nelson on the Mound
As the Arizona Diamondbacks prepare to face the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field this afternoon, all eyes will be on the mound. The game, set to start at 2:20 PM ET, promises to be an intriguing match-up with both teams looking to secure a critical win in their respective seasons.
Justin Steele will be pitching for the Cubs, bringing with him a season that has seen him make 14 starts, accruing a 2-3 record and an impressive 2.71 ERA. Steele’s season has been highlighted by eight quality starts, including a standout recent outing where he pitched seven scoreless innings. Despite some fluctuations, his performance at home remains strong with a 3.16 ERA, slightly higher than his road ERA of 2.96.
On the other side, Ryne Nelson will take the mound for the Diamondbacks. Nelson’s season has seen a mixed bag of results, encapsulated by his 6-6 record and 4.99 ERA. However, his resilience is notable; he has managed to string together six consecutive starts without surrendering more than three earned runs. His WHIP of 1.42 and batting average against of .296 indicate a pitcher who has had his share of challenges but continues to battle through them.
Teams' Record and Recent Performance
The Diamondbacks enter this game with a 49-48 record, positioning them second in the NL West, though they trail the Dodgers by seven games. Their recent away games have shown promise, winning four out of their last five and maintaining the same record against the run line in those games. Offensively, the Diamondbacks stand out, averaging five runs per game, the second-best mark in MLB.
The Cubs, with a 47-51 record, sit fifth in the NL Central, 8.5 games behind the Brewers. Despite their position, recent games have indicated a potential resurgence. The Cubs have gone 7-3 in their last ten games and hold a 4-1 record in their last five home games. They have also proven themselves as formidable home underdogs, with a 9-5 record in such situations this year.
Key Players and Statistics
Arizona’s offense is powered by the likes of Christian Walker, who has tallied 22 homers, and Ketel Marte, who has 19. Their offensive prowess will be crucial against a Cubs team looking to keep their momentum going. Nico Hoerner's recent form has also been a bright spot for the Cubs, hitting .378 over his last nine games, while Christopher Morel has contributed with three homers in his last eight games.
Both teams are riding three-game over streaks, suggesting today’s game could see plenty of runs. The over/under line is set at 7.5 runs, a figure that has been surpassed in 84.5% of Diamondbacks games and 67.3% of Cubs games this season. The Diamondbacks hold a 6-4 record when the over/under line is set at 7.5, compared to the Cubs' 12-10 record in similar situations.
Game Prediction
Analysts project Justin Steele to have six strikeouts, while Ryne Nelson is expected to notch four. Steele is anticipated to concede fewer runs than Nelson, which could be pivotal in a tightly contested game. Despite Steele’s potential edge, the prediction leans towards a narrow Diamondbacks victory, with a final score of 5-4.
As the Diamondbacks look to climb higher in the NL West and the Cubs aim to close the gap in the NL Central, today's game holds significant implications for both teams. It is set to be an exciting afternoon of baseball at Wrigley Field.