© Rob Schumacher/The Republic / USA TODAY
Blaze Alexander to Make MLB Debut for D-backs Tonight vs. Rockies
After making the team's Opening Day roster, Alexander will make his first career MLB start tonight.
The Diamondbacks will begin their 2024 season tonight against the Rockies at Chase Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7:10 PM MST. Arizona looks to continue their dominance over Colorado, as they went 10-3 against the last place Rockies in 2023.
Blaze Alexander will make his major league debut and first career start tonight, as he's batting 7th as the designated hitter. Earlier today, the D-backs announced the infielder prospect had made their Opening Day roster. He hit .400 this spring with a 1.086 OPS, putting up a show at the plate and in the field. He found out last night that not only did he made the club, but will start today. He'll be the first D-back since 1998 to make their MLB debut as a starter on Opening Day, per AZ Snake Pit.
"There's going to be nerves in the beginning but as soon as the game goes, I'm going to flip the switch and I'm going to do what I got to do," said Alexander. "I'm going to perform, I'm going to show why they selected me to be on this team."
Lineups
Lineups for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies for Game 1 of the 2024 season.
Michael McDermott
Starting Pitching Matchup
Zac Gallen will make his second career Opening Day start while Kyle Freeland will make his third. Both pitchers were their team's Opening Day starters for the 2023 season. The two pitchers have previously faced off against each other twice before: August 21, 2021 and May 30, 2023.
Gallen has pitched well against the Rockies in his career. In 13 career starts, the D-backs ace is 6-1 with a 2.45 ERA against Colorado. Kris Bryant has had the most career success against Gallen in the Rockies' lineup, hitting .250 with a home run and three walks in 15 plate appearances. Charlie Blackmon is hitting .303 with a .737 OPS in 37 PA.
Gallen features a four-seamer, knuckle-curve, slider/cutter hybrid, and a changeup, played up by plus command. The fastball is 92-96 MPH with 17-18 inches of induced vertical break to miss bats. The key pitch will be the knuckle curve, which is his main swing-and-miss offering. If he has a good feel for the curve, he could rack up a lot of whiffs and strikeouts.
Freeland has struggled against the D-backs in his career, with a 5.35 ERA in 20 career starts. Ketel Marte has owned the Rockies left-hander, with a career .349/.440/.721 slash in 50 PA with nine extra base hits and three home runs. Christian Walker sports a .290/.361/.548 slash with two home runs in 36 PA.
Freeland will mix five different pitches in equally: a four-seamer, sinker, knuckle curve, hard slider, and a changeup. His 4-seamer and sinker average just under 89 MPH and he throws enough of them to set up his secondary stuff. The key for the D-backs is to see the ball up and out over the plate, then take advantage when they get a pitch to hit.
