The Chicago Cubs are riding a wave of momentum, looking to extend their impressive 10-game home winning streak as they host the Arizona Diamondbacks at Wrigley Field. With a stellar 21-12 record, the Cubs sit comfortably atop the NL Central, while the Diamondbacks hover at .500 (16-16) in third place of the NL West.
Sunday's matchup marks the third meeting between these two clubs this season, and the stakes are high for both sides. The Cubs have been dominant at home with a 13-5 record, fueled by a lineup that boasts the fourth-best team batting average in MLB at .258. For Arizona, the challenge is clear: they've struggled on the road with a 7-10 record, but their hitters rank fourth in the NL with a .410 slugging percentage, suggesting they have the power to turn things around.
On the mound, the Cubs will send Matthew Boyd (1-1, 7.00 ERA) to the hill, while the Diamondbacks counter with Merrill Kelly (1-2, 9.20 ERA). Boyd has shown flashes of brilliance with 26 strikeouts this season, but his ERA suggests he's been inconsistent. Kelly, meanwhile, has struggled to find his rhythm early on, and the Cubs' hot bats could make for a long day for the right-hander.
Key players to watch include Cubs infielder Nico Hoerner, who leads the team with a .297 batting average and has been a steady presence in the lineup. Seiya Suzuki has been on fire lately, going 14-for-38 with five home runs and eight RBIs in his last 10 games. For the Diamondbacks, Ildemaro Vargas has been a surprise power source with six home runs and a .673 slugging percentage, while Nolan Arenado is heating up with 14 hits and two homers in his last 10 contests.
Over their last 10 games, the Cubs are 7-3, outscoring opponents by one run despite a 4.91 ERA. The Diamondbacks, however, have stumbled to a 3-7 record, being outscored by 24 runs with a 7.12 ERA. Both teams are dealing with significant injuries, including key players like Cubs' Justin Steele and Diamondbacks' Carlos Santana, which could impact depth as the season progresses.
With the Cubs as -160 favorites and the over/under set at 12 runs, expect a high-energy game at Wrigley as Chicago aims to keep their home streak alive.