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Diamondbacks: Cubs in Town for Four Game Series

By Cody Fincher

Apr 5, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (44) triples to deep right field driving in three run against the Colorado Rockies in the seventh inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 5, 2016; Phoenix, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks first baseman Paul Goldschmidt (44) triples to deep right field driving in three run against the Colorado Rockies in the seventh inning at Chase Field. Mandatory Credit: Jennifer Stewart-USA TODAY Sports /
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It wasn’t exactly how the Arizona Diamondbacks wanted to start the 2016 season as they lost two of three games against the Colorado Rockies, but the Diamondbacks must put their head down and keep trucking along as it won’t get much easier this weekend.

It doesn’t get any easier for the snakes as the Chicago Cubs roll into town for a four game series. The Cubs are many experts’ picks to win the World Series this season. Here are the pitching matchups for the series over weekend:

Thursday 4/7 6:40pm

Rubby De La Rosa vs. John Lackey

Mar 2, 2016; Salt River Pima-Maricopa, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Rubby De La Rosa (12) throws in the first inning during a spring training game against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 2, 2016; Salt River Pima-Maricopa, AZ, USA; Arizona Diamondbacks starting pitcher Rubby De La Rosa (12) throws in the first inning during a spring training game against the Colorado Rockies at Salt River Fields at Talking Stick. Mandatory Credit: Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports /

De La Rosa was named the number four starting pitcher when pitchers and catchers reported to Spring Training, but the right-hander struggled in the Cactus League. De La Rosa had an ERA of 7.03 in six Spring Training games.

Last season, De La Rosa had a record of 14-9 with a 4.67 ERA in 32 starts, which was a career high. While it wasn’t a great year for De La Rosa, he led the Diamondbacks in innings pitched.

The one flaw De La Rosa has is that he sometimes loses focus on the mound, but he has to make sure to stay focused at all times against this formidable Cubs lineup.

Mar 26, 2016; Mesa, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher John Lackey (41) pitches during the second inning against the San Francisco Giants at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 26, 2016; Mesa, AZ, USA; Chicago Cubs starting pitcher John Lackey (41) pitches during the second inning against the San Francisco Giants at Sloan Park. Mandatory Credit: Jake Roth-USA TODAY Sports /

Lackey will be making his Cubs debut after spending last year with the St. Louis Cardinals. Lackey had one of his best seasons with the Cardinals in 2015 in which he won 13 games and posted a 2.77 ERA, which was a career best. In three career starts against the Diamondbacks, Lackey is 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA.

Next: Game No. 2

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