The Arizona Diamondbacks face the New York Yankees in a highly anticipated matchup featuring two talented pitchers. Zac Gallen, who struggled on Opening Day with a 9.00 ERA, will be looking to bounce back against Carlos Rodon, who has been impressive with a 1.69 ERA in his first start this season. Gallen previously pitched six scoreless innings at Yankee Stadium last September, but his recent form raises concerns. In contrast, Rodon’s slider was effective against the Brewers, racking up nine whiffs with a heavy usage rate. Both pitchers have shown potential, but their recent performances suggest a battle of wills on the mound.

Cody Bellinger has historically struggled against Gallen, batting only .050 with seven strikeouts in 20 at-bats, which might factor into the game strategy. Meanwhile, Rodon will aim to leverage his slider's success, hoping to neutralize the Diamondbacks' offense as he did previously against them last year. With both teams also planning their pitching rotations for upcoming games, the stakes are high for this encounter, setting the tone for the rest of the series.