Diamondbacks vs Royals game 1 preview

Diamondbacks vs Royals game 1 preview

1. Diamondbacks vs Royals game 1 pitching matchup
2. Diamondbacks vs Royals game 1: Players to watch 👀
3. Diamondbacks probable lineup
4. Royals probable lineup

This feels like a series Arizona has to win.  

The Diamondbacks have a record of 12-11, the Royals have a record of 5-17.  Arizona’s offense ranks 12th in the league in runs per game and Kansas City’s offense ranks 28th in that category.  The D-backs rank 23rd in the league in team ERA and the Royals rank 27th in that category.  The Diamondbacks have committed the 3rd least amount of errors per game; the Royals have committed the 4th least amount of errors per game.

In every category, the D-backs have the upper hand in this matchup.

After losing 3 out of 4 against San Diego, the Diamondbacks will take on the Kansas City Royals at home for a 3-game set.  The D-backs are 2-3 in their last 5 games and the Royals are 1-4.

Thankfully, the homestand continues!  The first pitch will be at 6:40 PM MST tonight!  You can purchase tickets for as low as $16 on TickPick.  This showdown will be aired on Bally Sports Arizona and Bally Sports Kansas City.  If you can’t watch the game, you can listen to it on 98.7 FM Arizona’s Sports Station, KHOV Univision 105.1, or KCSP 610.   

Diamondbacks vs Royals game 1 pitching matchup

For your beloved Diamondbacks, lefty Tommy Henry will make his first start of the season.  In 2022, Henry went 3-4 with a 5.36 ERA in 9 starts.  In 4 AAA starts this season, he went 1-0 with a 6.33 ERA.

You are probably wondering, why would they give Henry the opportunity over a guy like Brandon Pffadt.  One reason and one reason only, Henry is a lefty, and Pfaadt is a righty.  The Diamondbacks desperately need a lefty starter in the rotation right now with the release of Madison Bumgarner.  Let’s all cross our fingers that Henry will turn some heads starting tonight.

For the Royals, righty Brad Keller gets the ball to start the game.  He has looked sharp this season as in 4 starts he is 2-2 with a 3.00 ERA.  His walk and strikeout numbers are concerning but the opposition is only batting .194 against him.  Effectively wild?  I believe so.

The D-backs have to be licking their chops, however.  Last season Keller went 3-5 with a 5.69 ERA in 16 road games.  A good night for Arizona to get back into the win column.

Diamondbacks vs Royals game 1: Players to watch 👀

For Arizona, Ketel Marte has been on a heater recently.  I am actually convinced that an AI robot was playing for him last year, that wasn’t the real Ketel.  In the last 7 days, Ketel has truly looked like his former self with a bat in his hand; here are his numbers at the plate from the past week: 11 hits, 4 RBIs, 5 runs, 1.111 OPS.

With a torrid week at the dish, Ketel is now tied with the team lead in hits, and he has an OPS above .800 21 games into the young season.

For the struggling Royals, first basemen Vinnie Pasquantino has been a bright spot in the lineup.  Over the last 7 days, Vinnie has racked up 6 hits and 3 runs.  He also has an OBP of .320 over that span.  He has been by far their most consistent bat and on the season, he has a .368 OBP through 22 games.

Diamondbacks probable lineup

1. Rojas 3B
2. Marte 2B🔥
3. Carroll RF
4. Walker 1B
5. Gurriel Jr. LF
6. Smith DH
7. Moreno C
8. Thomas CF
9. Perdomo SS

Royals probable lineup

1. Witt Jr. SS
2. Melendez RF
3. Pasquantino 1B 🔥
4. Perez C
5. Massey 2B
6. Isbel CF
7. Olivares DH
8. Lopez 3B
9. Bradley Jr. LF