# Chicago Cubs and Arizona Diamondbacks series tension > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/chicago-cubs-and-arizona-diamondbacks-series-tension > Updated: 2026-08-25T12:06:35.000Z. Sources: 30. Developments: 2. The series between the Chicago Cubs and Arizona Diamondbacks has been characterized by competitive play and significant on-field tension involving rule disputes. Following a 7-0 Cubs victory, Diamondbacks pitcher Merrill Kelly accused Cubs third base coach Quintin Berry of sign-stealing, specifically regarding Kelly’s changeup grip. Kelly described the actions as ‘bush league,’ stating, ‘Stealing signs is as old as baseball, I think it’s a little bullshit when it comes from the coach.’ After an MLB review determined the coach was operating within the rules, Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo apologized to Cubs manager Craig Counsell. In a subsequent game at Chase Field, the Diamondbacks secured a 5-4 comeback victory via a ninth-inning, two-out walk-off home run by rookie Ryan Waldschmidt. Although the Cubs held a 4-0 lead behind an Ian Happ home run and a scoreless seven-inning performance by Clay Holmes, reliever Daniel Palencia surrendered three runs in the eighth, allowing the Diamondbacks to close the gap. In another matchup, the Diamondbacks defeated the Cubs 2-0, but the game was overshadowed by a controversial officiating dispute. Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong and manager Craig Counsell argued intensely over a potential balk by Diamondbacks starter Eduardo Rodriguez. Despite video replays suggesting a violation occurred when Rodriguez appeared to step off the rubber during his windup, umpires ruled no balk. Counsell criticized the decision, claiming the error was ‘obvious to anybody’ on television. Ultimately, the Diamondbacks secured a series win, bolstered by Eduardo Rodríguez’s nine-strikeout shutout performance, which helped Arizona maintain its position in the National League Wild Card race. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-25: Arizona Diamondbacks win series over Cubs amid sign-stealing and balk controversies The Arizona Diamondbacks won a pivotal series against the Chicago Cubs behind Eduardo Rodríguez’s shutout, amid heated disputes over alleged sign stealing and a controversial missed balk call. 17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/merrill-kelly-accuses-cubs-coach-of-sign-stealing ### 2026-08-24: Arizona Diamondbacks defeat Chicago Cubs with ninth-inning walk-off Ryan Waldschmidt hit a two-run walk-off home run in the ninth inning to lead the Arizona Diamondbacks to a 5-4 comeback victory over the Chicago Cubs. 17 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/arizona-diamondbacks-and-chicago-cubs-begin-series-at-chase-field --- Cite as: Chicago Cubs and Arizona Diamondbacks series tension. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/chicago-cubs-and-arizona-diamondbacks-series-tension