Full Breakdown
Cubs Seek Wild-Card Edge in Arizona Series Amid Ketel Marte’s IL Stint
8/25/2026, 11:37:21 AM
Series Overview
The Chicago Cubs opened a three-game road set against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field, with the first game at 8:40 p.m. CT. The Cubs entered the series 75-56, the Diamondbacks 69-62. Both clubs are in the National League wild-card race: the Cubs lead the top wild-card spot by two games over Philadelphia, and Arizona trails San Diego by two games for the final berth.
Lineup and Player Matchups
Chicago Cubs – Starting lineup: Pete Crow-Armstrong (CF), Seiya Suzuki (RF), Michael Busch (1B), Alex Bregman (3B), Ian Happ (LF), Nico Hoerner (SS), Pedro Ramírez (2B), Michael Conforto (DH) and Carson Kelly (C).
- Conforto, who homered in Seattle, has a 1.071 OPS with three doubles in 18 plate appearances against Diamondbacks starter Merrill Kelly.
- Busch has a home run and a double in ten plate appearances versus Kelly.
- Ramirez and Happ each hit grand-slam homers in the preceding game.
Arizona Diamondbacks – Lineup: Lars Nootbaar (DH), Corbin Carroll (RF), Gabriel Moreno (CF), Geraldo Perdomo (SS), Gabe Kepler (LF), Nolan Arenado (3B), Tim Tawa (1B), Ildemaro Vargas (2B) and Ryan Waldschmidt (CF).
- With second-base star Ketel Marte on the 10-day IL (left-knee inflammation and hamstring soreness), former Cub Ildemaro Vargas started at second base.
Pitching Duel
Arizona’s rotation features Merrill Kelly, a 37-year-old right-hander with a 5.37 ERA; three of his last four starts allowed five or more runs and he has issued three or more walks in three of those games.
Chicago counters with right-hander Kevin Gausman, who dealt with a left-thumb cramp in an August 18 outing, and left-hander Shota Imanaga, who entered the season with a 2.45 ERA over his last seven starts and has allowed only eight home runs in that span.
Wild-Card Implications
Both clubs are fighting for limited wild-card positions. A Cubs win would extend their cushion over the Phillies; a Diamondbacks victory would keep them within striking distance of the Padres. Chicago’s recent grand-slam power and Conforto’s success against Kelly provide an edge, while Arizona must cope with Marte’s absence and Kelly’s recent volatility.
Player Availability and Unresolved Details
Ketel Marte’s IL placement was confirmed as a 10-day stint for left-knee inflammation and hamstring soreness. Reports noted Marte was observed at a casino during a recent game, but the Diamondbacks have not commented, leaving the exact cause of the move ambiguous.
What’s Next
The three-game set concludes on August 23, 2026, at Chase Field. Both clubs will look to the final game to solidify their wild-card positions as the regular season enters its final stretch.
