The Chicago Cubs and the Arizona Diamondbacks meet on March 28, 2025, at Chase Field in a compelling early-season matchup between two National League clubs eager to build upon solid 2024 campaigns and take the next step in their postseason ambitions. The Diamondbacks finished last season with an 89-73 record, third in the NL West, falling just short of the playoffs despite maintaining one of the most balanced rosters in the league and showcasing elite speed, defense, and contact hitting. Meanwhile, the Cubs wrapped up 2024 at 83-79, narrowly missing out on October baseball and entering the 2025 season with a retooled roster, renewed leadership under manager Craig Counsell, and a clear mandate to return to contention in a competitive NL Central. For Arizona, the foundation remains largely intact, led by dynamic outfielder Corbin Carroll, whose rookie campaign a year prior confirmed his superstar trajectory with power-speed numbers and Gold Glove-caliber defense. Carroll returns as the centerpiece of an offense that also features the ever-consistent Ketel Marte, who enters the year as one of the game’s premier switch-hitters, and slugger Eugenio Suárez, brought in to add much-needed right-handed power and protection in the lineup. The Diamondbacks are also eagerly anticipating the full-season integration of Jordan Lawlar, their top shortstop prospect, and the continued emergence of outfielders Alek Thomas and Jake McCarthy, giving the lineup speed threats from top to bottom.

On the mound, Zac Gallen takes the ball for his third consecutive Opening Day start after another ace-level season in which he posted a sub-3.20 ERA with high strikeout totals and command across all four pitches. Merrill Kelly slots in as a strong No. 2, with Arizona also awaiting the arrival of newly acquired Corbin Burnes, who will debut later in the rotation due to scheduling and rest. The Cubs, on the other hand, are looking to build consistency and improve upon their struggles in close games from last season, many of which stemmed from a volatile bullpen that saw too many late-inning leads slip away. Over the winter, the front office addressed those weaknesses by adding proven relievers and reinforcing the backend of the rotation, which will feature Justin Steele—coming off a breakout 2024 campaign—as well as veterans Jameson Taillon and Kyle Hendricks. Although Steele faltered in his overseas opener in Japan, the Cubs remain confident in his upside, particularly given his ability to induce soft contact and keep the ball in the yard. On offense, the Cubs will once again look to Ian Happ and Seiya Suzuki to anchor the middle of the order, both of whom bring steady plate discipline and power from both corners. Rookie outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong, now entrenched in the starting center field role, is expected to be an impact player with elite range and improving bat-to-ball skills. With a lineup that also includes Nico Hoerner, Dansby Swanson, and Christopher Morel, the Cubs are quietly one of the more complete lineups in the league, blending speed, contact, and gap power. Although they’ve historically struggled at Chase Field, the Cubs view this series as a statement opportunity, and this Opening Day contest—featuring two talented lineups, elite frontline pitching, and postseason aspirations—could set the tone for how both franchises fare in a stacked National League landscape in 2025.