WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Nick Piecoro, Dan Bickley preview NLDS Game 1 from LA | 3:11
azcentral sports Diamondbacks insider Nick Piecoro and columnist Dan Bickley preview Friday’s NLDS Game 1, including some potential reasons why Jeff Mathis is starting over Chris Iannetta and why Jake Lamb is on the bench.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Shot Clock: D-Day for Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers | 1:59
azcentral sports’ Mark Faller and Sarah McLellan discuss the NLDS. Do the Diamondbacks have some things going in their favor?
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Shot Clock: Lovullo’s decisions work for D-Backs | 2:04
azcentral sports’ Greg Moore and Jay Dieffenbach discuss the Diamondbacks’ win over the Rockies.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Reaction to Archie Bradley’s triple | 1:35
Arizona Diamondbacks relief pitcher Archie Bradley recounts his RBI triple against the Colorado Rockies in the NL wild card game. Michael Chow/azcentral.com
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Who starts against the Dodgers? | 0:57
Arizona Diamondbacks manager gives his thoughts on who starts game one against the Dodgers in the NLDS on Friday. Michael Chow/azcentral.com
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Diamondbacks win wild one over Rockies | 2:10
Azcentral’s Scott Bordow and Greg Moore break down the Arizona Diamondback’s 11-8 win over the Colorado Rockies in the NL wild card game. Michael Chow/azcentral.com
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB What happened in that Diamondbacks Rockies wild-card game? Everything | 3:13
Some games have it all and the NL wild-card game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Colorado Rockies was one of then. Sarah McLellan and Scott Bordow from azcentral sports break it down. Sarah McLellan/azcentral sports
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Shot Clock: D-Backs vs. Rockies in wild card | 2:57
azcentral sports’ Mark Faller and Greg Moore preview the D-Backs’ wild-card game.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Paul Goldschmidt and J.D. Martinez share insights on each other | 1:59
Arizona Diamondbacks sluggers Paul Goldschmidt and J.D. Martinez share insights on each other before the wild-card game against the Rockies.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Greinke looks ahead to his wild-card start | 1:50
Diamondbacks pitcher Zack Greinke talks about the National League wild-card game on Wednesday at Chase Field.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Lovullo discusses the wild-card game against the Rockies | 1:16
Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo discusses the wild-card game against the Colorado Rockies.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Shot Clock: Zack’s comfort dog? Wild-card preview | 1:57
azcentral sports’ Jay Dieffenbach and Dan Bickley discuss the Diamondbacks roster for the wild card game against the Rockies.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB 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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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB 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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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB 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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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB 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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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB 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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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB 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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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB 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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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB 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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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB 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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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB 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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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB 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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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB 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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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB 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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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB 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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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB 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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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB 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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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB 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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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB 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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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB 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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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB 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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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB 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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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB 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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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB 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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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB 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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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB 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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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB Zack Godley on his outing against the Rockies | 0:54
Diamondbacks pitcher Zack Godley discusses his play against Colorado.
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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB 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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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB 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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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB 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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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB 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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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB 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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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB 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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WATCH THE LATEST VIDEOS FROM THE DIAMONDBACKS AND THE MLB 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.
Nick Piecoro, Dan Bickley preview NLDS Game 1 from LA
Shot Clock: D-Day for Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers
Shot Clock: Lovullo’s decisions work for D-Backs
Reaction to Archie Bradley’s triple
Who starts against the Dodgers?
Diamondbacks win wild one over Rockies
What happened in that Diamondbacks Rockies wild-card game? Everything
Shot Clock: D-Backs vs. Rockies in wild card
Paul Goldschmidt and J.D. Martinez share insights on each other
Greinke looks ahead to his wild-card start
Lovullo discusses the wild-card game against the Rockies
Shot Clock: Zack’s comfort dog? Wild-card preview
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
Paul Goldschmidt after D-Backs clinch wild card spot
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
A.J. Pollock on his two-homer game vs. 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
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
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
The Diamondbacks and Dodgers open their NLDS series Friday night in Los Angeles. Taijuan Walker takes the mound against Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw. Check back for live updates throughout the game.
Lovullo explains D-Backs’ controversial lineup
LOS ANGELES – Torey Lovullo raised eyebrows with his starting lineup for Game 1 of the National League Division Series, going with Jeff Mathis over Chris Iannetta at catcher and sitting third baseman Jake Lamb in favor of Adam Rosales in the matchup against Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw.
Lovullo said he “liked the way Jeff matches up with Taijuan (Walker),” the Diamondbacks starter opposite Kershaw. Mathis, regarded as a defense-first catcher, was behind the plate all nine innings in Wednesday’s wild-card victory over the Colorado Rockies.
The Diamondbacks are expected to alternate between the two catchers throughout the series.
One thing Lovullo said was not a factor was Iannetta’s relationship with Walker. During a start on Sept. 23, Iannetta caught a pitch from Walker and fired it back to the mound, the ball flying by Walker’s head and into center field. There was no one base at the time, but it appeared to be a tense one between the two.
“I know that they have a longstanding relationship and they’re like brothers out there,” Lovullo said. “I know certain things you may have seen throughout the course of the year would give you the feeling that it wasn’t a great relationship, but believe it or not it’s a strong, kind of pushing-forward type of relationship.”
Iannetta, who was with Walker on the Seattle Mariners last season, told Fox Sports Arizona that there was “nothing personal” about the exchange.
“We’re great friends,” Iannetta said. “It was just me trying to get on him, trying rile him up any way that I could. I know and I’ve seen it over the last year with Seattle and after we came here, when he’s fired up he’s real locked in and he pitches a lot better.”
As for decision at third base, Lovullo said a big factor for him was the fact that Lamb has never faced Kershaw. He also said he’s been using Rosales against lefties regularly over the past two months and didn’t want to diverge from the script.
Lovullo was asked if he wished he had gotten Lamb a start against Kershaw earlier this year, a question he said the Diamondbacks’ front office had already asked him. He noted that Kershaw started against them only twice this year, and that there were times when he was trying maximize the team’s chances to win by sitting Lamb, who struggles against lefties.
“But, yes, in a perfect world, I do regret not getting an opportunity to get a spin at him,” Lovullo said. “But at that time you can’t project forward and figure out that we’re going to be sitting in this seat at this moment.”
Robbie Ray will start Game 2 and Zack Greinke will start Game 3 for the Diamondbacks against the Dodgers, manager Torey Lovullo said in Los Angeles before Friday’s game.
Greinke lasted only 3 2/3 innings during his start in the NL wild-card game on Wednesday, and Ray came in to pitch 2 1/3 innings in relief.
“(I’m) ready to go whenever they ask me to,” Ray said on Thursday. “Obviously, they haven’t decided anything yet. But I’m sure that’s something we’ll talk about today and leading into tomorrow and figure something out.”
Asked to compare the way he feels Thursday to the day after a start, Ray said, “Not even close. It feels like a day after a bullpen.”
By starting Game 2, Ray would then be able to start a potential Game 5 on regular rest. And having him available to face the Dodgers twice if the series goes that long would figure to be a huge factor for the Diamondbacks.
In five starts against the Dodgers this season, Ray has posted a 2.27 ERA with 53 strikeouts and only 12 walks in 31 2/3 innings. The numbers are even better at Dodger Stadium: 0.92 ERA in 19 2/3 innings with eight walks and 37 strikeouts.
“I feel like I’ve had a good amount of success against them this year,” Ray said, “and I feel like I match up pretty well against this lineup.”
Diamondbacks’ NLDS roster unveiled
LOS ANGELES – The Diamondbacks’ roster for the National League Division Series includes a pair of changes from the one they used in Wednesday’s wild-card game, with right-hander Taijuan Walker and slugger Christian Walker both being added.
In their place, the Diamondbacks removed catcher Chris Herrmann and outfielder Rey Fuentes.
The Diamondbacks will have 14 position players and 11 pitchers.
Taijuan Walker was left off the wild-card roster but was added in order to start Game 1 of the division series on Friday night.
Christian Walker, who is not related, gives the Diamondbacks a potential right-handed power bat off the bench. Walker, 26, spent most of the season in Triple-A Reno, where he won Pacific Coast League MVP honors after hitting .309 with 32 homers.
In 11 games at the big-league level in September, Walker went 3 for 12 (.250) with two doubles, a homer, a walk and two hit by pitches. Walker has only 39 at-bats at the major league level in his career.
Remaining off the roster is infielder Chris Owings, who has been out since late July with a fractured right middle finger. He had been working his way back by getting at-bats at instructional league.
On Wednesday, the team was uncomfortable with the fact that Owings had played only one game – at Salt River Fields – in the past two-plus months. That lack of recent reps might still be the drawback for Owings today.
Diamondbacks coach Ariel Prieto was cleared of using an electronic watch to steal signs, or any other activity outlawed in major-league baseball, following an investigation from MLB.
The league fined Prieto and the Diamondbacks an undisclosed amount after Prieto was caught wearing the watch in Wednesday night’s wild-card win over the Colorado Rockies.
MLB released a statement Friday that said a forensic investigation was conducted and found no evidence of wrongdoing.
The Arizona Diamondbacks announced the start time for Game 3 of the National League Division Series in Phoenix next week.
First pitch will be at 7:08 p.m. Monday for the third game of the NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Gates will open at 5 p.m., according to the Diamondbacks.
If the series makes it to Game 4, that will start at 6:08 p.m. on Tuesday, and gates will open at 4 p.m.
The Diamondbacks head into the best-of-five series with the Dodgers riding a wave of confidence, bolstered not only by their win over the Rockies but how they played the Dodgers in the regular season. Arizona won the season series 11-8, including a three-game road sweep of Los Angeles in early September.
Of course, that’s when the Dodgers were going through a stretch in which they lost 15 of 16 games; they got back on track and went 7-3 over the final 10 games of the season.
Still, the Diamondbacks think they match up well with the Dodgers. At the very least, they won’t be, to use manager Torey Lovullo’s word, intimidated.
The Diamondbacks’ first order of business is figuring out a way to get to Kershaw. He was 2-0 against Arizona in the regular season with a 0.59 ERA while striking out 19 batters in 15 1/3 innings. He’s 14-8 with a 2.55 ERA in his career against the Diamondbacks.
Taijuan Walker was tabbed as the Game 1 starter on Thursday afternoon. Walker has thrown well against the Dodgers with a 3.24 ERA in three starts against them, including a 1.64 ERA in two starts in Los Angeles.
Walker, of course, will be matching up against Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw, whose 2.31 ERA was the best in the National League. Kershaw faced the Diamondbacks twice this season, allowing just one run in 15 1/3 innings.
“I think the biggest thing is to just focus on myself, focus on my game plan, focus on the pitches I have to execute,” Walker said. “Kershaw is the best in the game. It’s definitely going to be a fun one tomorrow, but I think I’ve just got to focus on myself.”
The Diamondbacks appear to be leaning toward starting Robbie Ray and Zack Greinke in the following two games.