AZ Snake Pit - Game #1, April 2: Diamondbacks 6, Giants 5An unofficial Arizona Diamondbacks community and bloghttps://cdn.vox-cdn.com/community_logos/47033/azsnakepit_f.png2017-04-02T21:22:57-04:00http://www.azsnakepit.com/rss/stream/149181392017-04-02T21:22:57-04:002017-04-02T21:22:57-04:00D-backs 6, Giants 5: AZ makes SF all Bum’d out
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<img alt="MLB: San Francisco Giants at Arizona Diamondbacks" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/kwFgEsrzepwpCmfgRjzLnE2--oQ=/0x371:1824x1587/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/54039365/usa_today_9988267.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>There are games where you can write the recap by the middle of the fifth inning. This was not one of them. </p> <p id="LRS5B6"><strong>Record 1-0. Pace: 162-0(!). Change on 2016: +1.</strong></p>
<p id="hffYuy">They say there’s always the chance to see something you’ve never seen before at a baseball game. Today would be a great example. This was the first time ever - in over 140 years of baseball - that a pitcher hit two home-runs on Opening Day. Oh, yeah, and his team still lost, despite he and his fellow <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a> combining for a K:BB ratio on the day of 12:0. For the D-backs came back three times, taking the lead for the first time on the very final pitch of the game, when <span>Chris Owings</span> did a reverse Gonzo, fighting a jam-shot bloop over the right-hand side of the infield for an RBI single. It gave the D-backs their first walk-off win on Opening Day in franchise history. </p>
<p id="wdSfrU">It was a victory that seemed thoroughly unexpected earlier on. In particular, take the bottom of the sixth inning. After David Peralta struck out to lead things off, <span>Madison Bumgarner</span> had retired 16 straight <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a> since his first pitch, including eight by strikeout. That included a ten-pitch second inning, in which he fanned the side. He was so thoroughly dominating, being perfectoed seemed almost inevitable, and the Giants three-run lead felt about as impregnable as the Wall in <em>Game of Thrones</em>. But when the perfect game ended, it ended quickly, going from that to a 3-3 tie in the space of five pitches.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Highlights: Dbacks win it with 2 in the 9th. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DbacksOpeningDay?src=hash">#DbacksOpeningDay</a>. <a href="https://t.co/P5CKef6was">pic.twitter.com/P5CKef6was</a></p>— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) <a href="https://twitter.com/FOXSPORTSAZ/status/848684625702420480">April 2, 2017</a>
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<p id="ZfEJ09">Of course, you can’t predict baseball, and it was the weakest hitter in the line-up - and I’m including <span>Zack Greinke</span> - who got things started, <span>Jeff Mathis</span> ending the perfect game with a triple to left. Admittedly, it was a bit of a Tulo triple, the Giants’ right-fielder booting it around for so long I thought he was Ronaldo. [It was only our catcher’s fifth career triple, now in his 13th MLB season] But it broke the ice, and <span>Nick Ahmed</span> immediately ended the shutout with an RBI single. Two pitches later, <span>A.J. Pollock</span> delivered Arizona’s first home-run of the season, and the game was effectively reset as we headed into the seventh inning.</p>
<p id="9Nbd6t">But you want narratives? We got ‘em. Let’s review some of the storylines which have been concerning Diamondbacks’ fans this winter. </p>
<h4 id="Lk26QJ">Zack Greinke’s velocity</h4>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Zack Greinke was pleased with first start, but man, was he impressed with Madison Bumgarner. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DbacksOpeningDay?src=hash">#DbacksOpeningDay</a> <a href="https://t.co/azTzUU73t2">pic.twitter.com/azTzUU73t2</a></p>— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) <a href="https://twitter.com/FOXSPORTSAZ/status/848692210883117056">April 3, 2017</a>
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<p id="3X8gjn">It seemed acceptable. We’ll wait for the full report on this from Brooks Baseball, but the gun on Fox Sports Arizona was showing him as high as 94 mph, mostly 90-92. Not to say there weren’t struggles. His efficiency was not brilliant, to say the least. He was averaging over 20 pitches per inning early on, and his day ended after only five frames and 92 pitches. He allowed two earned runs on four hits and two walks with four K’s. On the other hand, his ERA is lower than MadBum, who homered off Zack, so more embarrassing than anything. And the other <em>may</em> have been instigated by a <span>Jake Lamb</span> bobble in the second. Speaking of which...</p>
<h4 id="3anTmP">Jake Lamb can’t hit lefties</h4>
<ul>
<li id="8SpGCf">2nd inning, vs Bumgarner: Strike (looking), Strike (foul), Strike (swinging), <strong>Lamb struck out swinging</strong>
</li>
<li id="aRn4KE">5th inning, vs Bumgarner: Ball, Strike (looking), Strike (foul), Ball, Ball, Strike (swinging), <strong>Lamb struck out swinging</strong>
</li>
<li id="xNZZJJ">6th inning, vs. Bumgarner: Strike (swinging), Strike (swinging), Foul, Ball, Strike (swinging), <strong>Lamb struck out swinging</strong>
</li>
<li id="3y6xKn">8th inning, vs Blach: Strike (looking), Ball, Ball, Strike (foul), <strong>Lamb grounded into double play</strong>, second to shortstop to first,</li>
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<p id="QZTeNF">Yes, that’s 0-for-4 with three strikeouts and a double-play. Yes, Bumgarner is a BIT harder than your usual left-hander, thank heavens. However, it’s hard to think of how it could have gone much worse for Jake today. But he wasn’t the only one to have a forgettable day. </p>
<h4 id="8BSrOH">
<span>Yasmany Tomas</span> = sunk cost</h4>
<p id="ftvaxI">He had the platoon advantage against Bumgarner, but it didn’t exactly help, as he struck out in each of his three at-bats, seeing a total of 11 pitches. Then, in the eighth inning, with two on and the go-ahead run on third, he grounded back to the mound. But his most egregious play might have been his outfield route on a double in the fourth inning. I’m keen to see what the Statcast efficiency percentage was on that play, because here’s a rough approximation of what most people felt. </p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Statcast (TM) look at Tomas's route to that fly-ball. <a href="https://t.co/hpJ20cnL4c">pic.twitter.com/hpJ20cnL4c</a></p>— AZ SnakePit (@AZSnakepit) <a href="https://twitter.com/AZSnakepit/status/848644821132627968">April 2, 2017</a>
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<h4 id="hnLg4l">Bullpen concerns</h4>
<p id="AQZPyv">I think it’s safe to say that this game will not exactly have calmed any doubts about the effectiveness of our relief corps. Here’s the combined line for the Arizona bullpen this afternoon:<br><strong>D-backs Bullpen: 4 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 SO</strong><br>That won’t get it done. </p>
<p id="vJOa0Q"><span>Tom Wilhelmsen</span> and <span>Fernando Rodney</span> looked particularly shaky in their Diamondbacks debuts, each allowing a run. Rodney was brought in preserve a ninth-inning tie, but that lasted two batters, and he then loaded the bases before escaping, after an inning that included two hits, two walks, no K’s and a pair of wild pitches. On the basis of this afternoon, I would put the over/under on him being relieved of closer responsibilities at the end of April. On the positive side, Jorge De La Rosa and <span>J.J. Hoover</span> flashed some good stuff, but Arizona were helped out by San Francisco making outs at third (on a SB, which won Torey Lovullo his first review) and first, a pick-off by <span>Andrew Chafin</span> which withstood review. </p>
<p id="2v6m20">The only thing which saved the game for the D-backs, was the Giants’ bullpen being even worse. They also allowed seven hits and three earned runs, but worked only 1.2 innings. After Bumgarner’s second home-run, off Chafin, had given them a 4-3 lead in the seventh, the D-backs tied things up in the bottom of the eighth, as Pollock, Chris Owings and <span>Paul Goldschmidt</span> got consecutive singles to lead things off, Goldie’s just squirting through the left side of the infield to score A.J. It would have been nice to have taken the lead, except there then followed Lamb’s double-play and Tomas’s tapper back to the mound, so that was it.</p>
<p id="zzjIg7">In the ninth, it looked like the Giants’ new $60 million closer, <span>Mark Melancon</span>, would get his first save, as he retired <span>Brandon Drury</span> and Peralta, leaving Mathis the only man standing between the D-backs and defeat. But the catcher cracked a double into the left-center gap, and <span>Daniel Descalso</span> had a Diamondbacks’ debut to remember, coming off the bench for a pinch-hit RBI single that tied the game. Pollock picked up his third hit of the game, putting runners on the corners, and Owings was able to muscle a pitch just over the infield for our fourth consecutive hit with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, sealing a thoroughly unexpected victory in front of a full house at Chase.</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Here's our 9th inning hero, <a href="https://twitter.com/cowings5">@cowings5</a>. <a href="https://t.co/ZlLkUD8To7">pic.twitter.com/ZlLkUD8To7</a></p>— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) <a href="https://twitter.com/FOXSPORTSAZ/status/848682328377352192">April 2, 2017</a>
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<h4 id="ueePB5">Bells and whistles</h4>
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<div id="p5tOoa"><p style="text-align:center"><b>Click <a href="http://www.fangraphs.com/livewins.aspx?date=2017-04-02&team=Diamondbacks&dh=0&season=2017" target="_blank">here</a> for details, at Fangraphs.com</b>
<br><b>The Undertaker: Chris Owings, +43.1%</b>
<br>Hulk Hogan: Pollock, +38.2%; Goldschmidt, +20.3%; Mathis, +18.8%
<br><b><i>The Great Khali: Fernando Rodney, -28.3%</i></b><i>
<br>Doink the Clown: Lamb. -26.5%; Peralta, -19.1%; Tomas, -18.7%; Chafin, -12.3%</i></p></div>
<p id="S6jEud">Of course, the guy with the worst Win Probability is the one who ends up getting the W by his name. Because, baseball...</p>
<p id="8SHaBg">Unsurprisingly, a massive turnout in the GDT. The roll-call is: 4 Corners Fan, Arizona CardinalBacks, AzDbackfanInDc, DbacKid, Diamondhacks, EphBoston, Fangdango, FormerlyChelsea75, GuruB, Hazzard21, I suppose I'm a Pessimist, Imstillhungry95, Jackwriter, Jim McLennan, JoeCB1991, Keegan Thompson, Makakilo, MichaelMcD831993, Mike Bates, MikeDavisAZ, Monsterdemo, MrMrrbi, Oldenschoole, Skii, Sprankton, Steven Burt, TheGoldenSombrero, Xerostomia, aldma, asteroid, azshadowwalker, blue_bulldog, dbrowell, gallo del cielo, hotclaws, hventure, luckycc, noblevillain, onedotfive, preston.salisbury, repre, shoewizard, soco, thunderpumpkin87 and tommyt_16. A bevy of Sedona Red comments to choose from: I’m going with this</p>
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<p id="nvvx2Y">There’s a day off tomorrow, and I don’t think there can be much argument that we all need it! We reconvene on Tuesday, with the second in this four-game set. ish95 will have quite the act to follow for his recap.</p>
<p id="gQkRYm">All videos from @FoxSportsAZ</p>
https://www.azsnakepit.com/2017/4/2/15156854/arizona-diamondbacks-san-francisco-giants-recapJim McLennan2017-04-02T19:40:05-04:002017-04-02T19:40:05-04:00Diamondbacks 6, Giants 5
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<img alt="MLB: San Francisco Giants at Arizona Diamondbacks" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/WWyCqmfItkbjXHCA2knRfMW6oTY=/0x0:5007x3338/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/54038403/usa_today_9987863.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>The D-backs need three comebacks, and walked it off with two outs in the ninth on Opening Day at Chase.</p> <p id="37t12t">This didn’t look like it was going to be even close early on, because <span>Madison Bumgarner</span> was perfect through the first five innings. <span>Zack Greinke</span>, on the other hand, was not, and left after five innings, having allowed two runs on four hits and two walks with four strikeouts. One of those was to his opposing number, who homered off Greinke for the <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a>’ second run. But when Bumgarner’s perfecto ended, it ended quickly: <span>Jeff Mathis</span> triple, Nick Ahmed RBI single and <span>A.J. Pollock</span> two-run homer, making the score 3-3 after six.</p>
<p id="WwsW1J">ANOTHER Bumgarner homer - yes, his second - made it 4-3 in the seventh, but the D-backs tied things up on a Paul Goldschmidt RBI single in the bottom of the eighth. That brought <span>Fernando Rodney</span> in for his <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a> debut, but a lead-off triple led to the Giants taking the lead once again in the top of the ninth. However, down to their last out, the D-backs fought back once more, with Mathis doubling, and the game then being tied-up on a pinch-hit single by Daniel Descalso. A Pollock single pushed Descalso to third and Chris Owings floated a jam-shot into shallow right for an amazing walk off win.</p>
<p id="fjlItG">Mathis was a homer short of the cycle, Pollock had three hits, with two apiece for Owings and Goldschmidt. We also saw the (variable effective) Diamondbacks’ debuts of <span>Tom Wilhelmsen</span>, Jorge De La Rosa and <span>J.J. Hoover</span>. </p>
<p id="YtGroB">Full recap will follow in a bit... When I have calmed down!</p>
https://www.azsnakepit.com/2017/4/2/15156576/arizona-diamondbacks-san-francisco-giants-scoreJim McLennan2017-04-02T15:00:02-04:002017-04-02T15:00:02-04:00Preview: Giants @ Diamondbacks, 4/2
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<img alt="MLB: Spring Training-Chicago Cubs at Arizona Diamondbacks" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/57B4aJsPH4JF_yDf5ZTbBrMRugY=/0x0:2164x1443/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/54035683/usa_today_9977487.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Rick Scuteri-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>Play ball!</p> <div id="nhyRan">
<div class="pane sports_data_widget lineup clearfix">
<h3>Today's Lineups</h3>
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<thead>
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<th align="left">GIANTS</th>
<th align="left">DIAMONDBACKS</th>
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<tbody>
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<td class="td-last td-name">Denard Span - CF</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">A.J. Pollock - CF</td>
</tr>
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<td class="td-last td-name">Brandon Belt - 1B</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">Chris Owings - SS</td>
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<td class="td-last td-name">Hunter Pence - RF</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">Paul Goldschmidt - 1B</td>
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<td class="td-last td-name">Buster Posey - C</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">Jake Lamb - 3B</td>
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<td class="td-last td-name">Brandon Crawford - SS</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">Yasmany Tomas - LF</td>
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<td class="td-last td-name">Eduardo Nunez - 3B</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">Brandon Drury - 2B</td>
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<td class="td-last td-name">Jarrett Parker - LF</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">David Peralta - RF</td>
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<td class="td-last td-name">Joe Panik - 2B</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">Jeff Mathis - C</td>
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<td class="td-last td-name">Madison Bumgarner - LHP</td>
<td class="td-first td-name">Zack Greinke - RHP</td>
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<p id="nfCQYx">It’s not often a single game can define a season, but this contest could go a long way to setting the tone for 2017. This is the second Opening Day start for Zack Greinke. Last year, expectations was radically different, much higher - and were cruelly dashed, as the <a href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Colorado Rockies</a> scored six times in the third inning, on their way to a 10-5 Opening Day defeat of the <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a>. This season, we’re hoping for better, but Greinke is coming off a spring where his velocity appears to have been troublingly low. Is this figure any more meaningful than any other spring statistic? We’ll get some idea in not much more than an hour, when he takes the mound for Arizona. </p>
<p id="1iPQlO">He’s working with a new battery-mate in Jeff Mathis. The catcher has almost no bat - his career OPS+ is actually lower than Greinke’s, as mentioned in the line-up post - but has a reputation as an excellent defensive player and pitch-framer. It’ll be interesting to see if that helps Greinke, more than <span>Welington Castillo</span> last year. Perhaps surprisingly, this will be just Zack’s third Opening Day start. Before coming to Arizona, his only other was back in 2010 with the <a href="https://www.royalsreview.com/">Kansas City Royals</a>. That went better than his debut for Arizona, Greinke tossing six innings and allowing two runs, one earned. But he got a no decision and the Royals lost, so here’s to this being his first OD win. </p>
<p id="4QbnTD">Beside Mathis, <span>Brandon Drury</span> is the other Diamondback making his first Opening Day start for us, and he’ll have some big shoes to fill, as he seeks to replace reigning SnakePit MVP, Jean Segura. And, look at that: <span>Jake Lamb</span>, starting at third against one of the toughest of tough lefties. [Pro-tip: wrap “Jake Lamb can’t hit lefties” comments in @’s, to indicate sarcasm...] Bumgarner faced Arizona three times last year, going 1-1 with a 2.45 ERA. He had a stellar K:BB ratio of 31:3 over his 22 innings, so the D-backs will need to do better at putting the ball in play. Of our players with more than 5 PA, Goldschmidt (OPS .893) and Tomas (.773) have the best career number vs. MadBum.</p>
<p id="WPgaDL">Conversely, Greinke saw the <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">Giants</a> four time in 2016, going 2-2 with a 3.28 ERA, and a much less-impressive K:BB ratio of only 15:10 over 24.2 innings. The last two starts, he walked more San Francisco hitters than he struck out, so that’s something to keep an eye on as well. The two starting pitchers today did face each other in one of the contests, on April 20. Greinke won that one, as the Diamondbacks beat the Giants 2-1, thanks to a 7th-inning home-run off the bat of Welington Castillo. But that was a rare victory for Arizona, who went only 6-13 last season against San Francisco, including losses in eight of the last nine games. </p>
<p id="J6BmgC">Hopefully, that all gets turned around this afternoon. Fox Sports Arizona will be starting their preview show at the same time this gets posted: here’s a schedule of what to expect from that. I’d suggest 12:02pm as a good time to tune in, but perhaps that’s just me...</p>
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<p lang="en" dir="ltr">ONE MORE SLEEP until <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/DbacksOpeningDay?src=hash">#DbacksOpeningDay</a>! <a href="https://t.co/4PmCDfNr2h">pic.twitter.com/4PmCDfNr2h</a></p>— FOX Sports Arizona (@FOXSPORTSAZ) <a href="https://twitter.com/FOXSPORTSAZ/status/848355584776716288">April 2, 2017</a>
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https://www.azsnakepit.com/2017/4/2/15154764/preview-san-francisco-giants-arizona-diamondbacksJim McLennan2017-04-02T12:30:51-04:002017-04-02T12:30:51-04:00Opening Day line-up announced
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<img alt="MLB: Colorado Rockies at Arizona Diamondbacks" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/bGgXKJUtFcVsZaoEdoSkBnd_1Yo=/0x68:3812x2609/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/54034543/usa_today_9261008.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports</figcaption>
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<p>No surprises in the nine to start against the Giants at Chase Field this afternoon. </p> <h4 id="VUOBa1">
<a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Diamondbacks</a> line-up</h4>
<ol>
<li id="V9HfjV">
<span>A.J. Pollock</span>, CF</li>
<li id="GfXESp">
<span>Chris Owings</span>, SS</li>
<li id="K18QFZ">
<span>Paul Goldschmidt</span>, 1B</li>
<li id="87n5NK">
<span>Jake Lamb</span>, 3B</li>
<li id="rjwbH8">
<span>Yasmany Tomas</span>, LF</li>
<li id="LSMiWj">
<span>Brandon Drury</span>, 2B</li>
<li id="zxw7k5">
<span>David Peralta</span>, RF</li>
<li id="84Fa9b">
<span>Jeff Mathis</span>, C</li>
<li id="emZOqY">
<span>Zack Greinke</span>, P</li>
</ol>
<p id="fXR0PV">Comparing this against the line-up in 2016, there are three different names today: Pollock, Drury and Mathis. Last year, we had <span>Nick Ahmed</span> (Owings played center due to Pollock’s injury), <span>Jean Segura</span> and Welington Castillo. This will be Goldschmidt’s sixth Opening Day start - only <span>Luis Gonzalez</span> has now made more for the D-backs. It will be Pollock’s and Owing’s fourth, while Tomas, Peralta, Lamb and Greinke make their second. Mathis and Drury will be making their first Opening Day start for Arizona - Mathis had three under his belt during his time with the <a href="https://www.halosheaven.com/">Los Angeles Angels</a>, but this will be his first since 2011. </p>
<p id="IYADhW">It will be interesting to see if the Mathis-Greinke battery becomes a regular thing over the course of the season. You could also likely argue a case for having Greinke bat above Mathis, purely based on hitting ability. For since 2013, Greinke has an OPS+ of 71, while Mathis is at 51. The career numbers also favor Greinke, though by a smaller margin. Though maybe that’s why Greinke is 9th!</p>
https://www.azsnakepit.com/2017/4/2/15154110/arizona-diamondbacks-opening-day-line-up-announcedJim McLennan2017-04-01T09:00:01-04:002017-04-01T09:00:01-04:00D-backs 2017 Opening Day: How to watch, what to expect
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<img alt="Colorado Rockies v Arizona Diamondbacks" src="https://cdn.vox-cdn.com/thumbor/hbEj71h99sWI9nWMBDMNYMdGcaI=/0x0:4580x3053/1310x873/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/54018283/519176662.0.jpg" />
<figcaption>Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images</figcaption>
</figure>
<p>Tomorrow is Opening Day at Chase Field. Here’s all you need to know.</p> <p id="MsBh3W">Sunday is the 20th Opening Day at Chase Field, and sees the <a href="https://www.azsnakepit.com/">Arizona Diamondbacks</a> take on the <a href="https://www.mccoveychronicles.com/">San Francisco Giants</a>, in a rare Sunday afternoon Opening Day contest, beginning just after 1pm, Arizona time. Whether you’ll be headng downtown to watch the game or staying at home, we’ve got you covered, with all the information you need to know.</p>
<h3 id="HCW9Gb">Going to Chase Field</h3>
<p id="F0m4vK"><b>1. Have your ticket</b>. Sunday’s game is officially a sell-out, which looks like the 10th consecutive Diamondbacks "home" opener to do that - quotes used advisedly, since that includes the 2014 contest in Sydney. The last Chase opening game which didn’t sell out was a Monday night one in 2007, but it was actually the eighth game of the season. Similarly, the lowest opening game attendance came the previous year, when only 37,355 showed up for a Tuesday night against the <a href="https://www.purplerow.com/">Rockies</a>. The smallest crowd for a "proper" Opening Day game i.e. the first contest of the year, was in 2000, when 44,298 were at BOB, again on a Tuesday, to see us take on the <a href="https://www.thegoodphight.com/">Phillies</a>.</p>
<p id="WjVPwv">If you don’t already possess a ticket, you’ll be at the mercy of the secondary market. Checking around, StubHub, SeatGeek and TicketIQ are all offering tickets starting in the $30-35 range, for outfield reserve seats. If you feel more like conducting a negotiation face-to-face, there will be scalpers around Chase on the day: Jackson and 4th street seems like a particularly popular spot. If you want the best value, you’ll need to play a game of chicken: the nearer to first pitch you leave it, the better the chance of a ticket at or near face-value, because the last thing scalpers want is unsold product. If you’re okay with missing the first inning, even better. On the other hand...</p>
<p id="QFg9xd"><b>2. Arrive early</b>. Close to fifty thousand people will be trying get into Chase Field. That involves finding parking, going through security, buying concessions, etc. It’s going to take a lot of time, so the sooner you are there, the less stressful the whole experience is likely to be. Gates open at 10:45 am, but beginning at 10am, there will be a beer garden, live music, food trucks and family entertainment on the streets in front of Chase Field.</p>
<p id="eVV1An">The actual Opening Day ceremonies will begin at 12:30 p.m. The ceremonial first pitch will be thrown out by former Phoenix Suns star and two-time NCAA Champion Grant Hill. while the National Anthem will be performed by the most recent winner of American Idol, Trent Harmon. As has become a tradition, at the conclusion of the anthem, four F-16s from the 390<sup>th</sup> Fighter Squadron "Wild Ducks" at Luke Air Force Base will do a flyover above Chase Field and the 300’ x 150’ American flag in center field.</p>
<p id="qHQtGY">Something else maybe worth keeping an eye on, there appears to be a new scoreboard configuration, at least for the exhibition games. Curious to see if this will be sustained once the regular season starts.</p>
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p lang="en" dir="ltr">Really like the new scoreboard video matrix at Chase Field. Much more readable. Hope <a href="https://twitter.com/Dbacks">@Dbacks</a> going with it for regular season. <a href="https://twitter.com/Boomskie">@Boomskie</a> <a href="https://t.co/SsvZwuadT2">pic.twitter.com/SsvZwuadT2</a></p>
— HemondDelhiSABR (@HemondDelhiSABR) <a href="https://twitter.com/HemondDelhiSABR/status/847642435005972481">March 31, 2017</a>
</blockquote>
<script src="//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
</div>
<p id="Sin5aE"><b>3. Bring sunscreen</b>. THE ROOF WILL REMAIN OPEN. This isn’t common for day games, even in April, and the forecast high for Sunday is 84 F, which is plenty warm enough. That’s especially true if you are seated in the South-facing sections, which are likely to be in the sun for some or all of the game. One of the worst cases of sunstroke I’ve ever had was the result of a day spring-training game, so treat this one as if you’ll be on the lawn at Salt River Fields, and you should be fine. This means SPF 50 and a cap, and drink copious amounts of fluids. I will leave it up to you whether "beer" qualifies as adequate hydration. We’re all adults here.</p>
<p id="n9Zy5c"><b>4. Come hungry</b>. imstillhungry95 already wrote about some of the <a href="http://www.azsnakepit.com/2017/3/26/15064426/churro-dogs-funnel-cake-and-bacon-oh-my">new food offerings</a> at Chase, which he will be trying on your behalf. [Prediction: by the All-Star break, he’ll have change his name to imnolongerhungrymakeitstopimgoingtobarf95]. But let’s just provide you with the complete set. Legal note: this is not to be used as a "to-do" list. Or if so, you’re entirely on your own. The SnakePit accepts no responsibility whatsoever for medical costs incurred on such a fool-hardly and ill-advised mission. A Fanpost, however, would be welcome...</p>
<h5 id="zFBh8P">Specialty items</h5>
<ul>
<li id="rEoyhg"> <b>Bacon-wrapped Pretzel Baguette</b>: 12-inch, bacon-wrapped pretzel baguette stuffed with black forest ham and Swiss cheese and served with honey mustard and roasted jalapeño ranch. Location: Taste of Chase (Section 130)</li>
<li id="MxdJUa"> <b>Chicken Enchilada Dog</b>: 18-inch chicken enchilada sausage, queso blanco, enchilada sauce, pico de gallo, black olives, sour cream and tortilla strips on a talera hot dog roll. Location: Big Dawgs (Section 126)</li>
<li id="DxkJ02"> <b>Churro Dog 2.0</b>: White iced long john donut, churro rolled in Oreo crumbs, frozen yogurt, whipped cream and topped with strawberry topping, chocolate sauce and Oreo cookie crumbs. Location: Designated Dessert portables</li>
<li id="hACkcQ"> <b>Funnel Cake Chicken Sandwich</b>: Crispy chicken fillet, garlic black pepper Cheddar, house strawberry jam, powdered sugar and maple syrup, served on two funnel cakes. Location: Taste of Chase (Section 130)</li>
<li id="G0djQo"> <b>Sonoran Vegan Burger</b>: Vegan burger, vegan pepper jack, soy chorizo, chipotle veganaise, cowboy caviar and guacamole on a wheat bun. Location: Red Hot (Section 139)</li>
</ul>
<h5 id="0Md3FG">Sizzle & Cheese</h5>
<p id="2uovYE">The D-backs will add a new concession stand titled Sizzle & Cheese at section 105, offering the following items.</p>
<ul>
<li id="98V5C2">Triple Cheese: American, pepper jack and cheddar on Texas toast</li>
<li id="s5usSs">Bacon Cheeseburger Mac and Cheesy: 1/3 lb. beef patty, cheddar cheese, Colby bacon mac, Texas toast</li>
<li id="Cp47dR">Haystack Burger: 1/3 lb. burger patty, cheddar cheese, barbecue sauce, bacon, crispy onion, local Parker House roll</li>
<li id="1X99Xu">Classic Burger: 1/3 lb. beef patty, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, Mrs. Kleins bread and butter pickles on a local Parker House roll</li>
<li id="opI5wI">Warm Cookies and Milk: (3) warm chocolate chip cookies, ice cold Danzeisen Dairy milk</li>
<li id="wssU4h">Milkshakes: Strawberry, chocolate, vanilla and one rotating flavor milkshakes, featuring Danzeisen Dairy milk</li>
</ul>
<h5 id="Kz4oFt">Additional items</h5>
<p id="FpszSy"><b>Big Dawgs</b></p>
<ul>
<li id="8EPXk5">Tot Dog: Foot long dog, chili, cheese sauce, tater tots, sour cream, green onion, soft bun</li>
<li id="ihH8M7">Chipotle Chorizo Dog: Foot long dog, queso blanco, pork chorizo, pico de gallo, chipotle aioli, soft bun</li>
<li id="OMbYIb">Pretzel Crusted Brownie Sticks: Triple chocolate brownies, pretzel crust, caramel raspberry sauce, strawberry garnish</li>
</ul>
<p id="SXP0mt"><b>Carvery Cart</b></p>
<ul>
<li id="8zNNts">Applewood Turkey BLT: Roast natural turkey breast, Applewood bacon, garlic black pepper Cheddar, butter lettuce, tomato, garlic aioli, soft bun, house barbecue kettle chips</li>
<li id="3UKfL5">18-hour Smoked Beef Brisket: Game Seven Grill smoked brisket, barbecue sauce, horseradish slaw, onion roll, house barbecue kettle chips, Mrs. Klein’s bread and butter pickles</li>
</ul>
<p id="d10D0i"><b>Burger Burger</b></p>
<ul>
<li id="0npCZj">All American Burger: 1/3 lb. beef patty, American cheese, lettuce, tomato, onion, Mrs. Klein’s bread and butter pickles, secret sauce, toasted Kaiser roll</li>
<li id="JMW5eN">Poppin’ Pepper Jack Burger: 1/3 lb. beef patty, pepper jack cheese, pico de gallo, jalapeño poppers, chipotle aioli, toasted Kaiser roll</li>
<li id="cV65gJ">Spicy Honey Chicken Sandwich: Crispy chicken fillet, Crockett’s Honey, bacon, lettuce, tomato, pimento cheese, soft Kaiser roll</li>
</ul>
<p id="sSpdUC"><b>AZONA Street Tacos</b></p>
<ul>
<li id="19Mf87">Barbacoa Street Tacos: Corn tortilla, beef barbacoa, queso fresco, salsa rojo, cabbage, pickled onion, cilantro</li>
<li id="67KXAv">Barbacoa Beef Nachos: Tortilla chips, queso blanco, beef barbacoa, salsa rojo, cilantro lime crema, pickled jalapeños</li>
<li id="N4u4e2">Chicken Tinga Street Tacos: Corn tortillas, chicken tinga, queso fresco, cabbage, salsa rojo, cilantro lime crema, radish</li>
<li id="dEo8d9">Chicken Tinga Nachos: Tortilla chips, queso blanco, chicken tinga, salsa rojo, cilantro lime crema, pickled jalapeños</li>
<li id="MUApK1">Southwest Chicken Tortilla Salad: Cabbage, romaine, ancho chicken, tomatoes, bell pepper, crispy tortilla strips, honey-chipotle vinaigrette</li>
</ul>
<p id="IqXe0n">Also new to Chase Field in 2017 is Roger Clyne’s Moonshine Tequila drink "The D-backs Swing," a blackberry margarita.</p>
<h3 id="Xhhg9h">Following from home</h3>
<p id="LPt8qk">You might as well save time and turn your TV on to Fox Sports Arizona now, because they’re rolling out an all-you can eat buffet of Diamondbacks’ content, pretty much from now through the end of tomorrow. This begins shortly, at 9am Saturday - cleverly named "The Day Before Opening Day" by their marketing department - when they are offering eight consecutive hours of D-backs Opening Day replays. [All times here are Arizona]</p>
<ul>
<li id="8SFdHD">9:00 am - D-backs vs Phillies (2000) - <span>Randy Johnson</span> goes 8 2/3 innings with 10 Ks, while <span>Luis Gonzalez</span>, <span>Steve Finley</span> & <span>Damian Miller</span> all go deep in the D-backs win</li>
<li id="rZzF0r">11:30 am - D-backs vs <a href="https://www.truebluela.com/">Dodgers</a> (2001) - Randy Johnson strikes out 10, <span>Luis Gonzalez</span> homers and the D-backs start their <a href="http://www.sbnation.com/world-series">World Series</a> championship season with a win in Dodger Stadium</li>
<li id="jFxCeD">3:00 pm - D-backs vs <a href="https://www.gaslampball.com/">Padres</a> (2002) - Randy Johnson kicks off his fourth straight Cy Young Award season by tossing a complete game shutout and Mark Grace homers to lift the D-backs to victory</li>
</ul>
<p id="oBJjOi">Things then kick off even earlier on Sunday, at 8am. The schedule for the day is as follows:</p>
<ul>
<li id="sRew5x">8:00 am - Diamondbacks 20 Amazing Endings </li>
<li id="hRFHTI">8:30 am - D-backs Season Preview Show </li>
<li id="yZTT6c">9:30 am - Randy Johnson Road To Cooperstown </li>
<li id="RoEHh7">10:00 am - Cup of Coffee: <span>Shelby Miller</span> </li>
<li id="ldnq9B">11:00 am - D-backs Season Preview Show </li>
<li id="VaCHmk">12:00 pm - D-backs Live pre-game show from Chase Field with Todd Walsh, Jody Jackson, Mark Grace & <span>Brandon Webb</span> </li>
<li id="xWqtna">1:00 pm - D-backs vs Giants, with Steve Berthiaume and Bob Brenly.</li>
</ul>
<p id="KTFbko">If you’re not near a TV, you can watch the game on your computer, phone or mobile device, by logging into <a href="http://FoxSportsGo.com">FoxSportsGo.com</a>, via your cable provider.</p>
<p id="FmMX7t">Naturally, you can also listen to the games on the radio. Arizona Sports 98.7 FM is the regular home, where broadcasts are anchored by Greg Schulte, who has been with the team since their very first Opening Day in 1998. He’s supported by Tom Candiotti on play-by-play and the ever-vigilant Mike Ferrin, on pre- and post-game duties, with the <i>D-backs BP Show</i> and <s>Diamond Talk</s> <i>Snake Talk</i> respectively. Spanish broadcasts can be heard on KHOV 105.1. Their play-by-play announcer Oscar Soria has been around almost as long as Schulte (since 1999) and is joined by analyst and former big league pitcher <span>Rodrigo Lopez</span> and Richard Saenz.</p>
<p id="ndjHFZ">Naturally, we’ll be here on the SnakePit as well, tomorrow previewing both the game and the rest of the series against the Giants. Then there’ll be the Opening Day Gameday thread, which we’ll probably get up a little earlier than usual, since... hey, we are excited about Opening Day as you are!</p>
https://www.azsnakepit.com/2017/4/1/15138398/arizona-diamondbacks-2017-time-tv-schedule-watch-mlb-opening-day-onlineJim McLennan