Diamondbacks Opening Day Game Preview
Where: Dodger Stadium, Los Angeles
When: March 30th, 7:10 P.M., PST
TV: AZ- Bally Sports Arizona, LAD- SportsNet LA
Radio: AZ: 98.7 FM Phoenix, KHOV Univision 105.1 FM (Spanish); LAD: Dodgers Radio AM570, KTNQ 570
Earlier today we previewed both the Dodgers and Diamondbacks rosters and also took a look at some of the D-backs opening day history. Now it's time to focus in on tonight's game.
Starting Pitchers
Zac Gallen, RHP: 12-4, 2.54 ERA, 31 starts 184 IP, 5.3 WAR, 158 ERA+
Julio Urias, LHP: 17-7, 2.16 ERA, 31 starts, 175 IP, 4.9 WAR, 194 ERA+
Opening day is always full of marquee matchups, and few are better than this one. Gallen broke out last year to establish himself as the ace of the staff. He set a franchise record with 44 1/3 consecutive scoreless innings. He led the majors in both WHIP, (0.913) and Hits per 9 IP, (5.9), and finished 5th in the Cy Young voting.
Torey Lovullo was straight forward and to the point when the announcement was made. "He's earned it" Lovullo said. "He was one of the top pitchers in the NL last year, he anchored our staff all year last year. I just think he deserves it" This will be Gallen's first MLB opening day start.
Urias is also making his first opening day start. He led the majors in ERA and ERA+ last year and has established himself as the current ace of the Dodgers staff. Clayton Kershaw will start the third game of the year for L.A.
LINEUPS
In a surprise move Torey Lovullo inserted DH Kyle Lewis in the leadoff spot. During the off season the team made a concerted effort to get more right handed so as to better handle left hand starting pitching. In addition to trading for Lewis, they also traded for right handed hitters Lourdes Gurriel Jr., Gabriel Moreno, and signed Evan Longoria to platoon with Josh Rojas.. All four of these hitters are in the lineup.
The oft talked about speed and athleticism is represented by Corbin Carroll batting 7th and Jake McCarthy batting ninth. Alek Thomas joins Rojas on the bench to start the game. It should be noted that Urias was almost equally tough on right hand batters as he was on left hand batters last year.
Vs. RHB : .204/.263/.347, .610 OPS
Vs. LHB : .178/.204/.349, .553 OPS
For his career Urias actually has a slight reverse split, with a .651 OPS against left hand batters and a .619 OPS against right hand batters. Any way you slice it, Urias is a tough pitcher to face, regardless of which side of the plate the batter stands.
The biggest historical threat to Zac Gallen in the current Dodger's lineup is Mookie Betts, who is 5-13, .385 with a double and a homer against the D-backs ace. Gallen has had success against Max Muncy and Freddie Freeman in the past, as they are just 2-17 and 1-9 respectively against Gallen.
