What To Watch For

Arizona finished last season at 81-81 for the second straight year. Offseason acquisitions (including ex-LA Angel Mark Trumbo, ex-Chicago White Sox Addison Reed, and free agent Bronson Arroyo) could make them a wild-card threat this season.

D-back’s ace Patrick Corbin will be out this season (and maybe some of 2015) to recover from his Tommy John elbow surgery.

Brandon McCarthy will get the ball for Opening Day. His first Opening Day start since 2012 (at Oakland), McCarthy was better at home than away last year (3.79 ERA in 80 2/3 innings vs. 5.63 in 54 1/3 on the road).

Now that Didi Gregorious is in Triple-A, Chris Owings will get the start at shortstop. Owings hit .291 in 20 games with the D-backs last year.

Starting Pitchers: Brandon McCarthy (AZ), Madison Bumgarner (SF)

Opening Day Lineup (Projected)
1 – A.J. Pollack – CF
2 – Aaron Hill – 2B
3 – Paul Goldschmidt – 1B
4 – Martin Prado – 3B
5 – Miguel Montero – C
6 – Mark Trumbo – LF
7 – Gerardo Parra – RF
8 – Chris Owings – SS
9 – Brandon McCarthy – RHP

 

The Competition

Marco Scutaro’s diagnostic nerve block procedure means the Giants will probably go with a combination of rookie Ehire Adiranza and Joaquin Arias at second base.

Hunter Pence (who led the Giants with 27 homers last season) is expected to hit second overall. With a record of seven hits in 13 at-bats vs. the right-handed pitcher, Pence will undoubtedly continue to be a big obstacle for McCarthy.

Although he was worse against right-handers and on the road, Bumgarner did some impressive work against the D-backs last season, striking out 28 and allowing only five earned runs in 32 1/3 innings.

 

What To Wear

Weather: Hi 82° / Lo 58° (via Accuweather)

Date/Time: Monday, March 31 at 6:40pm

Welcome to sunny Phoenix!

78° at game time calls for a new team tank, fun denim shorts, and a pair of wayfarers.

Tanning weather or not, don’t forget to grab a jacket before you head out. You might not need it, but no one likes to be cold.

Better yet, no one likes to hear someone complaining about being cold, especially not on Opening Day!

Nike Arizona Diamondbacks Ladies Tri-Blend Logo Racerback Tank Top – Sedona Red $29.95

Forever21 Striped Denim Shorts $17.80


Forever21 F1450 Wood Grain Wayfarer Sunglasses $5.80

Touch by Alyssa Milano Arizona Diamondbacks Ladies Teagan Full Zip Tri-Blend Hoodie – Ash $54.95

 

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