CHICAGO (Interstat) — The Chicago Cubs open a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Friday afternoon at Wrigley Field, looking to extend their early-season lead in the National League Central.

First pitch is scheduled for 1:20 p.m. CDT under a forecast of rain and 47 degrees.

Right-hander Colin Rea (3-1, 4.91 ERA) will start for Arizona, which enters with a 16-14 record. The Cubs, who own the best mark in the division at 19-12, will counter with right-hander Jameson Taillon (4-1, 4.50 ERA).

Taillon has been sharp of late, earning wins in four of his past five starts. In his most recent outing Wednesday at San Diego, he allowed three runs over seven innings in a 5-4 victory. He struck out six and scattered three hits.

Rea will try to help the Diamondbacks bounce back from a 13-1 loss Thursday in Milwaukee. Arizona has dropped three of its past four.

One player to watch for Arizona is right-handed reliever Philip Abner. He struggled in Thursday’s loss, allowing two earned runs over 2 1/3 innings.

For the Cubs, outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong is coming off a strong series in San Diego. He hit a three-run home run in Wednesday’s win and is batting .286 with four homers this season. Second baseman Matt Shaw went 3 for 4 with a homer and an RBI in that game.

Arizona’s offense remains led by outfielder Corbin Carroll, who went 2 for 3 on Thursday and is hitting .312.

The Interstat game simulator projects a 7-5 Cubs victory, and the Interstat ELO system gives Chicago a 59.8 percent probability of winning.

The series continues Saturday and Sunday at Wrigley Field before the Cubs host Cincinnati on Monday. Arizona travels to face Pittsburgh next week.