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Piecoro, Moore on D-Backs’ preparations ahead of wild-card game | 3:11
azcentral sports Diamondbacks insider Nick Piecoro and columnist Greg Moore discuss how the Diamondbacks are preparing for the NL wild-card game from Chase Field on Monday. Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports
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Lovullo on Martinez: ‘As good a hitter … that I’ve been around’ | 1:16
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo discusses the work ethic that slugger J.D. Martinez brings to the plate for his club on Monday. Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports
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D-Backs’ Pollock on facing Rockies starter Jon Gray | 0:50
Diamondbacks outfielder A.J. Pollock discusses facing Rockies starter Jon Gray, whom they will face in the NL wild-card game, during a press conference at Chase Field on Monday. Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports
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Torey Lovullo on Paul Goldschmidt’s stats, focus | 0:53
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo discusses how Paul Goldschmidt thinks when it comes to stats and the upcoming NL wild-card game during a press conference on Monday. Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports
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D-Backs’ Pollock on security concerns for wild-card game | 0:33
Diamondbacks outfielder A.J. Pollock addresses security concerns for wild-card game after Las Vegas shooting on Monday. Rob Schumacher/azcentral sports
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D-Backs’ manager Torey Lovullo on Walker, Bradley vs. Royals | 1:30
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo talks about Taijuan Walker’s impressive start and Archie Bradley’s shaky outing.
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Archie Bradley after loss to Royals | 1:36
Diamondbacks reliever Archie Bradley talks about what went wrong in his outing against the Royals on Saturday night.
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Torey Lovullo after Greinke’s loss vs. Royals | 1:08
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo discusses Zack Greinke’s final tune-up before his anticipated start in the wild-card game on Wednesday.
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Zack Greinke on his outing vs. Royals | 1:17
Diamondbacks right-hander Zack Greinke talks about his start (four-plus innings, two runs) vs. the Royals on Friday night in Kansas City.
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J.D. Martinez’s on his record-tying home run | 1:02
With a solo shot in the ninth inning on Wednesday, J.D. Martinez tied a National League record with his 16th home run in September.
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David Peralta on his walk-off walk, J.D. Martinez’s hitting | 2:03
Diamondbacks outfielder David Peralta talks about his game-winning walk and J.D. Martinez’s recent tear at the plate.
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J.D. Martinez on his hot streak, D-Backs’ win over Giants | 1:01
Slugger J.D. Martinez hit his 28th homer in his 58th game with the Diamondbacks on Tuesday night.
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Robbie Ray after win vs. Giants | 1:51
Diamondbacks lefty Robbie Ray threw five innings and gave up two runs, both unearned, in a win over the Giants on Tuesday night.
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Zack Godley after loss vs. Giants | 1:24
Diamondbacks right-hander Zack Godley gave up six runs (five earned) in 4 1/3 innings against the Giants on Monday night.
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Paul Goldschmidt after D-Backs clinch wild card spot | 0:50
Slugger Paul Goldschmidt in the celebratory clubhouse after the Diamondbacks clinched a wild card spot.
Nick Piecoro/azcentral sports
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D-Backs celebrate walk-off win over Miami | 0:31
The Diamondbacks secured home field for the National League wild-card game.
Scott Bordow/azcentral sports
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Diamondbacks celebrate playoff berth | 0:44
After clinching a National League wild card berth earlier in the day, the D-Backs celebrated securing home field with a walk-off win over the Miami Marlins.
Scott Bordow/azcentral sports
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Fernando Rodney on his 300th career save | 1:07
Diamondbacks closer Fernando Rodney speaks after recording his 300th save in a win over the Marlins on Friday.
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Chris Iannetta on his 8-RBI night in D-Backs’ win | 1:11
Diamondbacks catcher Chris Iannetta discusses his eight-RBI night in Arizona’s win over the Marlins on Friday.
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Archie Bradley answers questions from reporters – and J.D. Martinez | 1:43
Diamondbacks reliever Archie Bradley talks with reporters about his RBI single in the eighth, then answers questions from teammate J.D. Martinez.
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Torey Lovullo after D-Backs avoid sweep in San Diego | 1:32
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo talks about his team’s 13-7 come-from-behind win over the San Diego Padres on Wednesday night.
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Torey Lovullo on recent offensive struggles after loss to Padres | 1:14
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo said he has “minimal” concern about his team’s recent offensive struggles.
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A.J. Pollock on his two-homer game vs. Padres | 1:11
Diamondbacks center fielder A.J. Pollock talks about the two home runs he hit on Tuesday night in San Diego.
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D-Backs’ Zack Godley after loss to Padres | 1:35
Diamondbacks pitcher Zack Godley talks about his loss to the Padres on Tuesday night in San Diego.
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Patrick Corbin on mistakes vs. Padres | 1:09
Diamondbacks lefty Patrick Corbin talks about Yangervis Solarte’s tough at-bat that preceded Hunter Renfroe’s key three-run homer in a 4-2 loss to the Padres.
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Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ loss to Padres | 1:36
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo talks about his team’s 4-2 loss to the San Diego Padres on Monday night.
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Taijuan Walker on shaky outing vs. Giants | 1:12
Right-hander Taijuan Walker gave up four runs in five innings against the Giants, who beat the Diamondbacks 7-2 on Sunday afternoon.
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Zack Greinke after 2-0 win over Giants | 1:48
Diamondbacks right-hander Zack Greinke gave up two hits in eight scoreless innings against the Giants on Saturday night.
Nick Piecoro/azcentral sports
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Torey Lovullo on Greinke’s dominant start vs. Giants | 1:38
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo talks about ace Zack Greinke’s eight shutout innings on Saturday evening against the San Francisco Giants.
Nick Piecoro/azcentral sports
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Robbie Ray after 10-strikeout game vs. Giants | 1:36
Diamondbacks lefty Robbie Ray talks about his performance in a 3-2 win over the San Francisco Giants on Friday night at AT&T Park.
Nick Piecoro/azcentral sports
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Archie Bradley on baseball and beards | 3:14
Diamondbacks reliever Archie Bradley discusses the energy associated with his appearances as a reliever and his beard. Patrick Breen/azcentral sports
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Torey Lovullo on Pollock’s two-run double, Ray’s outing | 1:24
Manager Torey Lovullo talks about the Diamondbacks’ 3-2 win over the Giants on Friday night.
Nick Piecoro/azcentral sports
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Shot Clock: D-Backs’ Archie Bradley talks football | 2:29
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach chats with D-Backs pitcher Archie Bradley about a different sport.
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Zack Godley on his outing against the Rockies | 0:54
Diamondbacks pitcher Zack Godley discusses his play against Colorado.
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Torey Lovullo on big win over Rockies | 1:04
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo discusses his team’s win over Colorado on Thursday.
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Paul Goldschmidt downplays his 1,000th career hit | 1:12
Diamondbacks slugger Paul Goldschmidt wasn’t too interested in discussing his 1,000th career hit on Wednesday night.
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Lovullo discusses his team’s win over the Rockies | 2:02
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo on his team’s win over Colorado on Wednesday night.
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D-Backs’ A.J. Pollock on his three-hit night | 1:08
Diamondbacks center fielder A.J. Pollock talks about his three-hit night against the Colorado Rockies.
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Patrick Corbin on his outing against the Rockies | 1:57
Corbin on his solid performance against the Rockies
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Shot Clock: D-Backs stay ahead of Rockies? | 2:03
Mark Faller and Greg Moore discuss the MLB Wild Card race between the Diamondbacks and the Rockies.
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Torey Lovullo on loss to Rockies | 1:04
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo breaks down his team’s loss to Colorado.
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J.D. Martinez following D-Backs’ loss to Rockies | 1:23
Slugger J.D. Martinez homered and doubled but the Diamondbacks dropped a 4-2 decision to the Colorado Rockies on Tuesday night.
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Taijuan Walker on his outing against the Rockies | 0:30
Taijuan Walker breaks down his performance against Colorado.
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Diamondbacks’ rally falls short against Rockies | 1:08
Manager Torey Lovullo, right-hander Zack Greinke and right-hander Jake Barrett react to the 5-4 loss.
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Robbie Ray on his outing vs. Padres | 1:06
Diamondbacks lefty Robbie Ray’s pitch count got a little high early but he still managed to go six strong innings against the Padres on Sunday.
Nick Piecoro/azcentral sports
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Manager Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ win, Bradley’s save | 1:49
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo talks about the Diamondbacks’ win over the Padres, including his decision to use Archie Bradley in the ninth inning.
Nick Piecoro/azcentral sports
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Diamondbacks react to ‘tough’ loss to Padres | 1:06
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo, pitcher Zack Godley on their loss to the Padres.
Sarah McLellan/azcentral sports
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Coyotes take batting practice at Chase Field | 1:21
Coyotes players took batting practice at Chase Field before the Diamondbacks hosted the Padres Friday.
Sarah McLellan/azcentral sports
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Torey Lovullo on the end of the D-Backs’ win streak | 1:40
Manager Torey Lovullo, left-hander Patrick Corbin and third baseman Jake Lamb react to the 10-6 loss.
Sarah McLellan/azcentral sports
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Paul Goldschmidt says his elbow is structurally sound | 2:16
Diamondbacks slugger Paul Goldschmidt talks about the results of Tuesday’s MRI exam on his right elbow.
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Zack Greinke after D-Backs’ win over Dodgers | 2:00
Diamondbacks right-hander Zack Greinke gave up one run in seven innings in a 3-1 win over the Dodgers in 10 innings on Tuesday night.
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Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ record-tying 12th consecutive win | 1:11
Manager Torey Lovullo talks about the Diamondbacks’ franchise-record-tying 12th consecutive win, a 3-1 victory over the Dodgers.
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Shot Clock: JD rocks LA; Cards chase Seattle | 2:01
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley discuss J.D. Martinez’s four home runs against the Dodgers and more in our Shot Clock video.
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J.D. Martinez on his four-homer night vs. Dodgers | 1:21
Diamondbacks slugger J.D. Martinez said everything lined up perfectly for him on Monday night, when he tied a record by hitting four homers in a game at Dodger Stadium.
Nick Piecoro/azcentral sports
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Paul Goldschmidt talks about his sore right elbow | 1:48
Diamondbacks slugger Paul Goldschmidt, who is returning to Phoenix to undergo an MRI, talks about what he’s been feeling in his right elbow.
Nick Piecoro/azcentral sports
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Torey Lovullo on J.D. Martinez’s four-homer performance | 1:33
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo talks about J.D. Martinez’s record-tying night at Dodger Stadium.
Nick Piecoro/azcentral sports
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Robbie Ray after striking out career-high 14 vs. Dodgers | 1:43
Diamondbacks lefty Robbie Ray talks about J.D. Martinez’s record night and his own performance against the Dodgers on Monday night.
Nick Piecoro/azcentral sports
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Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ 10th consecutive win | 1:39
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo talks about his team’s 5-1 win over the Colorado Rockies on Sunday at Coors Field.
Nick Piecoro/azcentral sports
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Zack Godley on wild yet effective outing vs. Rockies | 1:06
Diamondbacks right-hander Zack Godley issued six walks but allowed just one run against the Rockies on Sunday.
Nick Piecoro/azcentral sports
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Piecoro, Moore on D-Backs’ preparations ahead of wild-card game
Lovullo on Martinez: ‘As good a hitter … that I’ve been around’
D-Backs’ Pollock on facing Rockies starter Jon Gray
Torey Lovullo on Paul Goldschmidt’s stats, focus
D-Backs’ Pollock on security concerns for wild-card game
D-Backs’ manager Torey Lovullo on Walker, Bradley vs. Royals
Archie Bradley after loss to Royals
Torey Lovullo after Greinke’s loss vs. Royals
Zack Greinke on his outing vs. Royals
J.D. Martinez’s on his record-tying home run
David Peralta on his walk-off walk, J.D. Martinez’s hitting
J.D. Martinez on his hot streak, D-Backs’ win over Giants
Robbie Ray after win vs. Giants
Zack Godley after loss vs. Giants
Paul Goldschmidt after D-Backs clinch wild card spot
D-Backs celebrate walk-off win over Miami
Diamondbacks celebrate playoff berth
Fernando Rodney on his 300th career save
Chris Iannetta on his 8-RBI night in D-Backs’ win
Archie Bradley answers questions from reporters – and J.D. Martinez
Torey Lovullo after D-Backs avoid sweep in San Diego
Torey Lovullo on recent offensive struggles after loss to Padres
A.J. Pollock on his two-homer game vs. Padres
D-Backs’ Zack Godley after loss to Padres
Patrick Corbin on mistakes vs. Padres
Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ loss to Padres
Taijuan Walker on shaky outing vs. Giants
Zack Greinke after 2-0 win over Giants
Torey Lovullo on Greinke’s dominant start vs. Giants
Robbie Ray after 10-strikeout game vs. Giants
Archie Bradley on baseball and beards
Torey Lovullo on Pollock’s two-run double, Ray’s outing
Shot Clock: D-Backs’ Archie Bradley talks football
Zack Godley on his outing against the Rockies
Torey Lovullo on big win over Rockies
Paul Goldschmidt downplays his 1,000th career hit
Lovullo discusses his team’s win over the Rockies
D-Backs’ A.J. Pollock on his three-hit night
Patrick Corbin on his outing against the Rockies
Shot Clock: D-Backs stay ahead of Rockies?
Torey Lovullo on loss to Rockies
J.D. Martinez following D-Backs’ loss to Rockies
Taijuan Walker on his outing against the Rockies
Diamondbacks’ rally falls short against Rockies
Robbie Ray on his outing vs. Padres
Manager Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ win, Bradley’s save
Diamondbacks react to ‘tough’ loss to Padres
Coyotes take batting practice at Chase Field
Torey Lovullo on the end of the D-Backs’ win streak
Paul Goldschmidt says his elbow is structurally sound
Zack Greinke after D-Backs’ win over Dodgers
Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ record-tying 12th consecutive win
Shot Clock: JD rocks LA; Cards chase Seattle
J.D. Martinez on his four-homer night vs. Dodgers
Paul Goldschmidt talks about his sore right elbow
Torey Lovullo on J.D. Martinez’s four-homer performance
Robbie Ray after striking out career-high 14 vs. Dodgers
Torey Lovullo on D-Backs’ 10th consecutive win
Zack Godley on wild yet effective outing vs. Rockies
It was two days before the only game that matters, the winner-take-all National League wild-card matchup against the division-rival Colorado Rockies, and Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo had a lot on his mind.
His players were entertaining a small throng of reporters in the clubhouse Monday afternoon, mostly by giving variations of the same answer: “You have to treat this like a normal game, even though it’s special.”
Lovullo, meanwhile, was pondering roster moves. He wants to make sure it’s “complete for a couple of different scenarios that maybe don’t pop up during the course of the year.
“That’s what we’ve been working on the past couple of days.”
He is looking for an edge against a 6-foot-4, power-pitching, worst-case scenario in Rockies right-hander Jon Gray. Lovullo will have help from the Diamondbacks front office and analytics department, but he’s going to be the one in the dugout with the season on the line Wednesday.
He knows as well as anyone that a feel-good, turnaround story of a first-time manager who helped mold a roster full of guys who lost 93 games one season into a swaggering bunch that won 93 the next could crash into a pile of what-ifs and why-nots if Gray has his best stuff.
Back in June, when the Diamondbacks, Rockies and Dodgers were setting a pace that was establishing the NL West as baseball’s best division, Gray came off the disabled list to beat the Diamondbacks behind 10 strikeouts against one walk over six innings.
Paul Goldschmidt went 0 for 5 with three strikeouts that day. Typical. Gray owns Goldy. Arizona’s MVP candidate is hitless in 11 career at-bats with five strikeouts against the Rockies ace. Goldschmidt hasn’t been able to draw as much as a walk against Gray. But, hey, with Goldschmidt ending the season in an 0-for-17 skid, it’s not like it can get worse.
The slumping superstar isn’t the only one to struggle against Gray, though. Behind a 96-mph fastball and a 90-mph slider, the long-haired laser baller has gone 2-0 with a 2.77 ERA and 20 strikeouts to one walk in 13 innings at Chase Field this season.
One move could be at shortstop. Ketel Marte, 2 for 6 against Gray, tweaked his hamstring hustling out an infield single with the Diamondbacks up big in a statistically meaningless game on the last day of the season.
Lovullo couldn’t be worried about criticism for having Marte in there competing that hard. The decision had already been made to play all-out to the finish regardless of whether anything was at stake. The danger of going into the postseason cold was far greater than the risk of a fluky injury. Hindsight wouldn’t change that.
Marte said in the clubhouse Monday that he expected to play and would be “about 80 percent” by Wednesday, so Lovullo will pencil him in.
But what about Chris Owings? He’s had plenty of success against Gray: 5 for 9 with a homer, a double and three RBIs. But Owings is trying to come back from the broken finger that gave Marte a spot in the lineup in the first place. He’s close, but is he ready?
“I know that we’re trying to figure if (Owings) is a possibility for Wednesday,” Lovullo said. “I don’t want to say it’s a definite no, but I want him to continue working hard with the thought of making something special happen.”
And what about catcher? It looks like Zack Greinke’s personal valet, Jeff Mathis, seems ready to come back from a broken hand, suffered in August.
Mathis isn’t the hitter Chris Iannetta is. He’s better defensively, but not by much. This will come down to intangibles.
“We want to prioritize the potential for stopping the opposition,” Lovullo said. “So, in my mind, pitching and defense is what wins you championships, and in this game, it’s been my experience that every moment matters. Somebody gets on base, it’s like red alert. And you’re very tense for nine innings. So, you’re looking for the best strategy to work through and navigate on the mound.”
Mathis and Greinke developed a bond through the first three-quarters of the year, and the Arizona ace needs to be as comfortable as possible.
Besides, Lovullo trusts his process. “Will I change my strategy? Probably not,” he said. “It’s worked all year long here. We made it this far. For me to change and do something totally different, it’s really not my style. But I can assure you that, if I do, it will have a strategy, there will be a reason for it.”
Aside from all that, Lovullo is thinking about what to say to his team. How to get everyone to relax and be normal, even though everybody knows that everything is different.
This game matters more.
“I want these guys to understand that something special is happening here,” he said, adding later, “I’ll tell them to embrace this. … This is the greatest time of the year. October baseball, long-sleeve baseball, is the absolute best, and I want these guys to experience it, embrace it, and remember it.”
2017 DIAMONDBACKS: A complete game’s worth of key moments
HOW TO WATCH: Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Colorado Rockies in NL wild-card game
MORE: Arizona Diamondbacks gearing up for wild-card experience
Reach Moore at [email protected] or 602-444-2236. Follow him at www.Twitter.com/WritingMoore.
Wednesday’s game
Rockies at Diamondbacks
What: NL wild-card game.
When: 5 p.m.
Where: Chase Field (Roof hotline: 602-462-6262).
TV/radio info: TBS/KMVP-FM 98.7.
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