The D-backs are returning to Arizona for their home opener against the Tigers at Chase Field.<\/p>\n
PHOENIX \u2014 PLAYBALL! Baseball is back at Chase Field on Monday when the Diamondbacks return for the Opening Day game that will be broadcast on 12News.<\/p>\n
The D-backs are returning to Arizona for their home opener against the Tigers. They\u2019ll face Detroit for three games then welcome the Atlanta Braves to town for four games starting Thursday night.\u00a0<\/p>\n
The D-backs are coming off getting swept by the Los Angeles Dodgers dropping to 0-3 on the season. It was their first time getting swept in the opening series since 1999.<\/p>\n
This is the Tigers\u2019 9th all-time trip to the desert and first since 2024 (12-11 home record).<\/p>\n
The Diamondbacks missing the playoffs in back-to-back years after getting to the World Series in 2023.<\/p>\n
Michael Soroka is making his D-backs debut. Going up against 43-year-old starter Justin Verlander, who is making his first start for the Tigers since 2017. The future Hall-of-Famer signed with the Tigers in the off-season. Verlander spent his first 13 seasons in Detroit and won the American League Cy Young Award in 2011. Soroka split last season between the Nationals and Cubs. He signed with the D-backs in December.\u00a0<\/p>\n
First pitch is at 7:10pm on 12News.<\/p>\n
TWO SPECIAL FANS TAKE CENTER STAGE:<\/p>\n
The D-backs are personally inviting two special fans to participate in Opening Day.<\/p>\n
Beauden Baumkirchner is throwing the ceremonial first pitch and Joe Giacinto is performing the national anthem.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Beauden is being celebrated for his inspirational recovery from a rare and aggressive staph infection, at just 3 years old, that led to septic shock, months in intensive care and more than 20 surgeries, including the amputation of both legs. His story caught the team\u2019s attention in January during his visit to MLB Network with Challenged Athletes Foundation. Today, he plays baseball at Lake Havasu Little League using prosthetic legs.\u00a0<\/p>\n
Joe, an Arizona clarinetist born blind and autistic, is completely self-taught. He learns and performs music entirely by ear and has memorized hundreds of pieces, and dreams of performing alongside Andrea Bocelli.<\/p>\n