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One of the most anticipated seasons in recent memory opens for the Arizona Diamondbacks against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday. The Cubs may be glad to be back stateside.

The D-backs committed $210 million to sign free agent right-hander Corbin Burnes, and they shored up other roster spots in the offseason to better attack the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers in the NL West.

Despite adding former Cy Young Award winner Burnes, Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo chose right-hander Zac Gallen to start the opener of the four-game series against the Cubs at Chase Field.

“They’re both elite pitchers,” Lovullo said. “But at the end of the day, Zac’s been here for a long time. I have a very strong bond with Zac. He’s seen some darkness here. He’s come out the other end.”

Left-hander Justin Steele (0-1) is to start the Arizona opener for the Cubs. Chicago tries to get on track after losing the first two games of the regular season to the Dodgers in Tokyo on March 18-19 before returning to Arizona to wrap spring training.

Steele gave up five runs in four innings of a 6-3 loss to Dodgers in the second game of the Tokyo series.

“These are great experiences, period, and they’re fun experiences,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “They’re different. They do resemble the playoffs. So that’s a great experience for our young players. And hopefully we’ll get that experience again in October.”

The Diamondbacks are seeking to return to the playoffs after making the World Series in 2023. They were eliminated on the final day of the regular season a year ago despite a five-game improvement in the standings. They are the last team to beat the Dodgers in the postseason.

“We love it,” Lovullo said of the competition level in the NL West. “We embrace it. We run to it.”

In addition to Burnes, the Diamondbacks acquired first baseman Josh Naylor to replace free agent Christian Walker, picked up third baseman Eugenio Suarez’s option and re-signed outfielder/DH Randal Grichuk to aid an offense that led the majors with 886 runs a year ago.

The Cubs added outfielder Kyle Tucker, infielder Justin Turner, closer Ryan Pressly and starters Matthew Boyd and Colin Rea to a group that was 83-79 last season, second to Milwaukee in the NL Central. Rookie top prospect Matt Shaw won the third base job.

The Cubs continue an arduous early 27-game stretch against the D-backs. Their start includes seven games against Arizona, six against San Diego, five against the Dodgers, and three against Philadelphia, Texas and the A’s.

Gallen, who is eligible for free agency after this season, is 43-19 with a 3.20 ERA in 93 starts the last three seasons. He is 3-1 with a 2.60 ERA and one shutout in six career starts against the Cubs, and has beaten them once in each of the last three seasons.

Steele is 0-2 in four career starts against Arizona and has given up two homers in 28 2/3 innings. He gave up two homers in Japan after giving up four in 8 2/3 innings in three spring training appearances.

-Field Level Media