Analysis: Pfaadt held Chicago scoreless for three frames before giving up a run in the fourth inning. The Cubs tagged him for two more runs on a Kyle Tucker homer in the fifth, and Arizona was never able to catch up. Pfaadt was pretty efficient in completing six frames on 78 pitches, and he gave his fantasy managers a boost with a quality start despite the loss. His second start of the campaign is expected to come against Washington next week.

Analysis: Pfaadt's extension won't kick in until 2026, but it will buy out all three of his arbitration years and possibly his first three years of free agency if all options are exercised. The 26-year-old finished last season with a 4.71 ERA and 1.24 WHIP alongside a 185:42 K:BB in 181.2 innings (32 starts); however, his 3.60 FIP is much more indicative of how well he performed on the mound. His first start of the new year is slated to come Saturday versus the Cubs, against whom he allowed two earned runs over 14 innings with a 13:1 K:BB in two appearances last season.