It may sound somewhat unbelievable, but with pitchers and catchers set to report in just over a month, the return of baseball is nearly upon us.
Coming off a miraculous run to the World Series, one that enthralled fans from all corners, the Diamondbacks will enter the 2024 season with one of the shortest offseason in franchise history. With their last game being played on November 1st, and their first Spring Training around the corner on February 24th, 115 days is all the rest the Diamondbacks will get before they begin the long journey once again.
However, this year’s journey will look a little different than previous ones.
With the elevated expectations stemming from the Diamondbacks’ impressive 2023 postseason performance and their impactful offseason transactions, a palpable shift in atmosphere is discernible throughout Arizona.
The era of ‘rebuilding’ has concluded; it’s now a clear-cut pursuit of October glory or bust.
Here are some must-watch games in the 2024 season:
March 28th: Home Opener against the Rockies
To kick off the season, the Diamondbacks will face the Colorado Rockies in a classic divisional matchup at Chase Field. Last year, the Diamondbacks dominated the Rockies with a 10-3 record. The first pitch for this exciting four-game series is scheduled for 7:10 PM.
April 1st: Yankees Come to Town
April begins with a bang as the New York Yankees visit Arizona. Featuring a formidable duo of Aaron Judge and Juan Soto, this matchup promises intense action and is not to be missed. The last time the Yankees have come to town dates back to May of 2019.
April 29th: Shohei Ohtani and the Dodgers visit the desert
The Los Angeles Dodgers, who were swept by the Diamondbacks in the 2023 NLDS, have had quite the interesting offseason. Not only have they spent over $1 billion, but they have somehow found a way to stay in discussion with just about every major free agent on the market. Beyond the high-profile acquisition of Shohei Ohtani, the Dodgers have bolstered their roster with notable additions such as Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Tyler Glasnow, and Teoscar Hernandez. Moreover, based on insights from a USA Today insider, indications suggest that the Dodgers are not finished, fueling speculation that they are poised to unveil another strategic move in the near future.
This rivalry, split 8-8 last year, is heating up and could be just the beginning of an exciting chapter.
May 28th: Diamondbacks take on the Rangers
In a two-game series, the Diamondbacks look to avenge their World Series opponents, the Texas Rangers. This marks the first meeting since their memorable clash in November, with game times set for 5:10 PM and 11:35 AM.
July 4th: Dodgers visit for some fireworks
Is there anything that goes together better than fireworks, hot dogs, and baseball?
To conclude a three-game series, the Diamondbacks will host the Dodgers for a 4th of July showdown. First pitch is scheduled for 6:10. This series will mark the last time these two teams will see each other until the final days of August.
September 29th: Season/home finale against the Padres
To close out the 2024 season, the San Diego Padres will visit Chase Field for a three-game series. The season finale, with a scheduled first pitch at 12:10 PM, may carry playoff implications, adding an extra layer of excitement.
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