Avoiding Corbin Burnes isn't the blessing that Cubs fans think it is

The Arizona Diamondbacks have set their rotation for their four-game series against the Chicago Cubs to open the season, and the Cubs will avoid a familiar face entirely.

Last week, the Diamondbacks revealed that Zac Gallen would get the start against the Cubs on Thursday. There was some surprise that the Diamondbacks weren't opening their rotation with Corbin Burnes, their prized offseason addition.

As it turns out, the Cubs won't see Burnes at all during the opening weekend of the 2025 MLB season. The Diamondbacks revealed their starting rotation on Sunday and Burnes is listed as the team's fifth-starter. Burnes is lined up to make his first start for the Diamondbacks against the New York Yankees on April 1.

Rounding out the starting pitchers the Cubs will face against the Diamondbacks following Gallen are Merrill Kelly, Brandon Pfaadt, and Eduardo Rodriguez. Of note, Jordan Montgomery, who opted into the second year of his deal with the Diamondbacks for a price of $22.5MM, will be pitching out of the bullpen. It's a move that will only further the disdain that Ken Kendrick, the Diamondbacks' owner, has for Montgomery.

As for the reason why Burnes is the fifth starter to open the season for the Diamondbacks, it seems to have been a miscommunication between the veteran starting pitcher and his new team. Diamondbacks' manager Torey Lovullo placed the blame on himself, citing that he wasn't familiar with Burnes' routine and habits during their first spring training together.

Dodging the Corbin Burnes isn't the break Cubs fans think it is

The Cubs have been able to solve Burnes in recent seasons. The Cubs have won in each of the last six games they’ve faced Burnes dating back to Opening Day 2022. While Burnes hasn’t always been the pitcher of record, he hasn’t been the unsolvable Cy Young award winner that comes with his reputation either. For example, facing Burnes as a member of the Orioles last season, the Cubs touched him up for 3 runs on 9 hits.

Regardless, the Cubs' offense does have a tough task ahead of them. After struggling to find consistency against the Los Angeles Dodgers in Japan last week, resuming their season with a four-game set against the Diamondbacks isn't ideal considering that even with Burnes as their fifth starter, their rotation remains one of the best in the National League.