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First Friday night matchup for Arizona Diamondbacks vs Chicago Cubs

Originally posted on Burn City Sports | By Ben Bliklen | Last updated Mar 28, 2025 8:05 PM ET

The first Friday night home game for the Arizona Diamondbacks is only hours away, as they look to avenge Opening Night their loss to the Chicago Cubs. Last night marked the first time since 2016 that the D-Backs lost an Opening Day game at home.

Pitching Matchups:

Merrill Kelly will get the second start of the season for the Arizona Diamondbacks, as he was moved up once Zac Gallen was named Opening Day starter. Kelly had a decent 2024 when he was healthy. Along with a 5-1 record he had 63 strikeouts in 73.2 innings pitched. He ended the season with a 4.03 ERA. Kelly has fared well pitching against the Cubs, as he’s only allowed just one run over the course of 11 innings in his last two starts.

For the Chicago Cubs, Jameson Taillon will take the mound for Friday’s matchup, pitching at Chase Field for the first time since 2018. Taillon last season in 165.1 innings pitched had 125 strikeouts with a 3.27 ERA. Taillon mentioned earlier, “I feel really good… I definitely feel ahead of where I was last year.” Cubs fans hope that he will take that next step forward, as he faces a team full of hitting talent.

Last night saw the bats come alive for both teams, the Diamondbacks are relying on Kelly tonight though to keep the Cubs’ in check. If Ketel Marte and Corbin Carroll keep this lineup firing on all cylinders, they can contend with anybody on the scoreboard.

Hopefully the D-Backs can give the fans some fireworks on the field tonight before the first postgame show after the season. It would definitely help forget about the disappointing Opening Night. Bet MGM has the Arizona Diamondbacks currently favorites for tonights matchup, sitting at -143 on the moneyline.

Reporter Benjamin Bliklen covers the Arizona Diamondbacks for Burn City Sports. You can follow him on his X account, @BenBliklen

This article first appeared on Burn City Sports and was syndicated with permission.

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