Zac Gallen to Start Second Straight Opening Day for D-backs

Gallen is set to become the sixth pitcher in franchise history to make multiple Opening Day starts.

The Diamondbacks have officially announced their Opening Day starter for 2024. To no one's surprise, it will be Zac Gallen taking the mound for Arizona. 

Opening Day is Gallentine’s Day. 👏 pic.twitter.com/JOGNy2vSpz

— Arizona Diamondbacks (@Dbacks) March 19, 2024

For Gallen, it will be his second straight Opening Day start. It will also mark Gallen's first Opening Day start at Chase Field, as he opened up last year in Dodger Stadium. When he makes that start, he will be the sixth pitcher in franchise history to make multiple opening day starts. Here are the other five, in descending order:

• LHP Randy Johnson (6; 1999-2004)
• RHP Brandon Webb (4; 2006-2009)
• RHP Ian Kennedy (3; 2011-2013)
• RHP Zack Greinke (3; 2016-2017, 2019)
• LHP Madison Bumgarner (3; 2020-2022)

Gallen is coming off a season in which he pitched to a 3.47 ERA in 210 innings to push the D-backs into the postseason. He was the National League starter for the All-Star game and finished third in the Cy Young race. In the postseason, he made six starts to help guide Arizona to a World Series appearance. 

The D-backs will take on the Colorado Rockies for Opening Day on March 28th, kicking off a four-game series against their division rival.