Rubby De La Rosa (14-9, 4.67 ERA) and the Arizona Diamondbacks (1-2) square off against John Lackey (14-10, 2.80 ERA) and the Chicago Cubs (2-0) in the first of a four-game series at Chase Field. Action starts at 9:40 p.m. ET on Thursday, Apr. 7 and can be seen on CSN+ and FSAZ.
De La Rosa gets the start after recording 188.2 innings last year, wrapping up the season with a 14-9 record, 4.67 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, and 150 strikeouts. Nick Ahmed (.545 ) continued his strong start to the season yesterday, going 2 for 4 with two runs, one home run, and one RBI. Lackey will pitch for the Cubs. Last season he pitched 228.1 innings last season, going 14-10 with a 2.80 ERA 1.19 WHIP, and 25 strikeouts. Matt Szczur (.600 ) has been hitting the ball well to start the season for the Cubs, going 2 for 4 Tuesday with two runs, one home run, and one RBI.
Notes
After a weak showing last week where they got in eight hits, the Diamondbacks need to step it up. The Cubs have a record of 2-0 when opponents get eight hits or less.
When they outhit their opponents, the Diamondbacks and the Cubs are both undefeated. Arizona has a 1-0 record in these situations while Chicago is 2-0.
Ranking seventh in runs, Chicago has earned 15 this season. Arizona ranks fourth with 19 runs.
Chicago tops the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage of .000 this season. Arizona ranks near the bottom at 26th with an OPS of .861.
