Like offense?

Two of the most productive offenses in the National League will meet when the Chicago Cubs play host to the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday afternoon to start a three-game series.

The Cubs lead the majors with 124 runs, 11 more than the AL-leading New York Yankees. The Diamondbacks are tied for third in the majors with 104.

It does not stop there. The Cubs and Diamondbacks are second and third in the NL in homers behind the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Cubs lead the NL with 29 stolen bases.

Right-hander Corbin Burnes (0-1, 5.28 ERA) will start on Friday for the Diamondbacks, who have won five straight and seven of eight. The Cubs are going with right-hander Colin Rea (0-0, 1.00).

Chicago returns home after splitting a six-game road trip against the Dodgers and Padres. They scored eight runs while losing two of three in San Diego, only their second series loss this season and their first since losing both games to the Dodgers in Tokyo in mid-March.

“We’ll be resilient,” Cubs manager Craig Counsell said. “When you get tested on that, you don’t get to choose. There are going to be tests during the season. Ultimately, it’s about winning the game tonight and turning the page and playing a good game whatever the result the next day. I think we’re wired to do that.”

The Diamondbacks scored 22 runs and hit nine homers in a three-game sweep of Miami that ended with a 6-4 victory Thursday, when they had six stolen bases, three by Corbin Carroll, and five hits.

“We were running all over the bases,” said first baseman/DH Pavin Smith, who was 6 for 11 with two homers, three walks and a stolen base in the series. “It was a great sweep for us. Just a good thing to start this road trip off well.”

Cleanup hitter Josh Naylor homered in all three in Miami, and leadoff man Carroll has reached base in all 19 games this season.

Burnes is still seeking his first victory with the Diamondbacks in his fourth start since signing his six-year, $210 million free agent contract, although his outings have been progressively better.

Burnes made his first quality start of the season the last time out, giving up three runs on four hits in six innings against Milwaukee on Saturday. He did not receive a decision in the Diamondbacks’ 5-4 victory.

He missed the teams’ four-game series in Arizona from March 27-30 but is no stranger to the Cubs after facing them often in the NL Central with Milwaukee. Burnes is 2-5 with a 3.36 ERA against the Cubs in 17 games, including 11 starts. He is 0-4 with a 3.16 ERA in his last six starts (four quality starts) dating to 2022.

Dansby Swanson is 11 of 18 with two homers and six RBIs off Burnes.

Rea will make his second start in four days for the Cubs, who are looking for ways to cover the innings lost when No. 2 starter Justin Steele went down with a season-ending left elbow injury last week.

Rea pitched into the fourth inning of a 4-2 victory against the Dodgers on Sunday, one of seven Cubs pitchers in the game. He gave up one run and four hits while striking out five. Rea was 18-12 in 49 starts with Milwaukee in 2023-24 after spending 2022 in Japan.

Ray has no wins or losses against the Diamondbacks in four career appearances, including three starts, but pitched to a 6.91 ERA. He gave up 12 runs (11 earned) and 21 hits in 14 1/3 innings. Carroll is 2 for 5 with a double and three RBIs against Rea.

–Field Level Media