Cubs vs Diamondbacks Spring Training: Facing Another Playoff Team

March 5, 2026 | Sloan Park, Mesa, AZ | 2:05 PM CT | MLB Network, Marquee Sports Network

The Chicago Cubs close out spring training at Sloan Park today against the Arizona Diamondbacks, and this is another tough test. They went 86–76 last year and made the Wild Card. We went 78–84 and watched from home. That eight-game gap is what we’re trying to close.

The Diamondbacks have Corbin Carroll, one of the most dynamic young stars in baseball. Zac Gallen is a legit ace. Ketel Marte provides veteran stability. They made the playoffs and have a young, exciting core that’s only getting better.

We have Tyler Glasnow, Jackson Merrill, and Pete Crow-Armstrong. Our young core has potential, but Arizona’s is already producing playoff results. That’s the difference we need to erase.

For Cubs fans, this is our final spring training game before Opening Day. Can we compete with another playoff team? Will our young guys show they’re ready? Or are we still a step behind teams like Arizona?

Where the Cubs Stand After Spring Training

2025 Record: 78–84

We’ve been over this all spring—another disappointing season, another missed playoff run, too many winnable games that got away. The front office responded by signing Tyler Glasnow and acquiring Jackson Merrill.

Spring training has shown those moves are working. Now we need one final strong performance before the real games start.

Key Players:

• Tyler Glasnow (SP): Elite strikeout pitcher who’s dominated all spring
• Jackson Merrill (SS): Smooth defender with developing bat, our potential franchise shortstop
• Pete Crow-Armstrong (CF): Elite defense and speed, showing real offensive growth

Top Prospects:

• Cade Horton (RHP): Earned a rotation spot with strong spring performances
• Matt Shaw (INF): Versatile bat who’s forcing his way onto the roster
• Kevin Alcántara (OF): Toolsy outfielder still putting it together

Today’s the last tune-up before Opening Day. Glasnow should dominate one more time. Merrill should keep building confidence. And our young guys should show they’re ready for the regular season.

The Arizona Diamondbacks: Young, Exciting, and Winning

2025 Record: 86–76 (Wild Card)

Arizona made the playoffs last year with a young, dynamic roster. Corbin Carroll is a legitimate superstar—speed, power, defense, baserunning. Zac Gallen is one of the best pitchers in the National League. Ketel Marte provides veteran leadership.

Key Players:

• Corbin Carroll (OF): Dynamic star with 30-30 potential, Gold Glove defense
• Zac Gallen (RHP): Ace-level starter with elite command and consistency
• Ketel Marte (INF): Veteran All-Star who does everything well

Top Prospects:

• Jordan Lawlar (SS): Top prospect trying to establish himself
• Druw Jones (OF): Elite defensive center fielder with Hall of Fame lineage
• Brandon Pfaadt (RHP): Developing starter with upside

The Diamondbacks are what we’re trying to become—young, exciting, and making the playoffs. They developed Carroll into a superstar. They built a sustainable winner. We’re trying to do the same with Merrill, Crow-Armstrong, and our prospects.

The Matchups That Matter Today

Jackson Merrill vs Jordan Lawlar at Shortstop
Both are top shortstop prospects trying to prove they’re franchise cornerstones. Merrill is more polished right now. Lawlar has been hyped for years but hasn’t put it all together yet. This is a good comparison for both.

Pete Crow-Armstrong vs Corbin Carroll in Center Field
This is the matchup everyone wants to see. Carroll is already a superstar—30-30 guy with elite defense. Crow-Armstrong is trying to become our version of that. The gap is massive right now, but PCA’s trajectory is encouraging.

Tyler Glasnow vs Zac Gallen on the Mound
Both are elite starters with ace-level stuff. Glasnow has more velocity and strikeout ability. Gallen has pinpoint command and consistency. This should be the best pitching matchup of our spring.

What the Cubs Need to See Today

Tyler Glasnow Finishes Spring Strong
Glasnow’s been dominant all spring. Today, he faces a Diamondbacks lineup that made the playoffs. Three or four scoreless innings with strikeouts would cap off a perfect spring and send him into Opening Day with momentum.

Jackson Merrill Shows He’s Ready for Prime Time
Merrill’s had a solid spring. Today, against a playoff team with Gallen on the mound, he needs one final strong performance. Quality at-bats, smooth defense, and the confidence that he’s ready to be our everyday shortstop.

Pete Crow-Armstrong Competes With Corbin Carroll
PCA will never out-hit Carroll right now—Carroll’s already a superstar. But he can show he’s on the right developmental path. Elite defense, aggressive baserunning, and smart at-bats. Show us you’re becoming a complete player.

Young Guys Finish Strong
Horton, Shaw, and Alcántara have all impressed this spring. One final strong showing today locks in roster spots and sends everyone north to Chicago with confidence.

End Spring Training on a High Note
After today, the games count for real. No more tune-ups. No more evaluations. Just win a competitive game against a playoff team and head into Opening Day with momentum.

What Arizona Will Bring

Corbin Carroll will do something electric—a stolen base, a diving catch, maybe a homer. Zac Gallen will challenge our hitters with elite command and deceptive stuff. Ketel Marte will work professional at-bats and find holes.

The Diamondbacks’ playoff experience and young talent will test us. They know how to win, they execute fundamentals, and they have legitimate stars. If we’re sloppy, they’ll punish us.

Cubs vs Diamondbacks: Two Young Teams, Different Results

Both teams have exciting young cores. Both are trying to build sustainable winners. But Arizona made the playoffs last year (86–76) while we sat at home (78–84).

That eight-game gap is what we’re trying to close. The Diamondbacks did it by developing Corbin Carroll into a superstar and building around young talent. We’re hoping Jackson Merrill and Pete Crow-Armstrong become our versions of that.

Today’s game shows where both teams are heading into 2026.

Cubs Fan Prediction: Competitive Game, Slight Edge to Arizona

Final Score: Diamondbacks 6, Cubs 4

Tyler Glasnow throws four scoreless innings with eight strikeouts, dominating one final time before Opening Day. Zac Gallen matches him with elite command and deceptive stuff.

Jackson Merrill goes 2-for-3 with a double and looks ready for the regular season. Pete Crow-Armstrong makes an incredible catch and legs out an infield single. Matt Shaw drives in two runs with a clutch double.

But Corbin Carroll does what superstars do—crushes a two-run homer, steals two bases, makes a ridiculous catch. The Diamondbacks’ playoff experience and depth take over late, and they edge us by two.

We compete. We show we’re close. But they’re the playoff team, and it shows in crunch time.

Why This Final Spring Game Matters

Spring training is over after today. The losses start counting for real soon. And this game shows whether we’re actually ready to compete with playoff teams.

Can Tyler Glasnow dominate a Diamondbacks lineup that made the postseason? Will Jackson Merrill show he’s ready to be our franchise shortstop? Can Pete Crow-Armstrong prove he’s becoming a complete player?

Arizona represents what we’re trying to become—young, exciting, and making the playoffs. They developed Corbin Carroll. They built a winner. We need to do the same.

Last season, 78–84 wasn’t good enough while Arizona went 86–76 and reached the playoffs. That eight-game gap is what we’re trying to erase in 2026.

Spring training is over. Opening Day is coming. And we need to prove that this year will be different.

Go Cubs Go. Let’s end spring strong and get ready to compete for real.

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