What to know about D-backs-Dodgers Opening Day (Thurs., 8:30 p.m. ET)

The last time the D-backs made it to the postseason, their run ended in the World Series. That left them with unfinished business, only to miss the playoffs in each of the next two years.

The Dodgers, on the other hand, are vying for history. Only two Major League franchises -- the Yankees and A's -- have three-peated as World Series champions, and L.A. is bidding to become the third.

Last year, when the Dodgers were looking to repeat as champions, manager Dave Roberts had a message for his team: Be the hunter, not the hunted. His message this year is similar, but more focused on tuning out the noise that accompanies a three-peat bid. The metaphor of choice: Be a greyhound.

"Just looking forward," Roberts said. "There's going to be distractions, but we just got to keep our blinders on and not worry about who's to the side of us and who's chasing us."

The Diamondbacks, who knocked the Dodgers out in the Division Series in 2023, hope to be in hot pursuit of L.A. this year. To do it, though, they will have to weather a tough schedule through the first two months of the season. If they are able to stay within shouting distance, they will get some additions with ace Corbin Burnes hopeful to return from Tommy John surgery at the All-Star break. Co-closers A.J. Puk and Justin Martinez will also return at some point during the season from their elbow surgeries.

Here is everything you need to know about Opening Day:

When is the game and how can I watch it?
First pitch is set for 5:30 p.m. PT/MST on Thursday at Dodger Stadium. It will be nationally broadcast as part of NBC's Opening Day doubleheader.

All out-of-market games are available live or on demand in the US on MLB.TV (subject to blackouts and other restrictions). Live games are also available in select countries outside the US. A full list of available games can be found here.

What are the likely lineups?
D-backs

1. Geraldo Perdomo, SS
2. Ketel Marte, 2B
3. Corbin Carroll, RF
4. Gabriel Moreno, C
5. Nolan Arenado, 3B
6. Carlos Santana, 1B
7. Pavin Smith, DH
8. Jordan Lawlar, LF
9. Alek Thomas, CF

Those are all but certainly the starters for the opener, but manager Torey Lovullo has played the order close to the vest, other than saying the top three in the order would be some combination of Carroll, Perdomo and Marte. The Diamondbacks are missing some power from last year after dealing Eugenio Suárez and Josh Naylor at the Trade Deadline, but the team found a way to score runs over the final two months without them, and that gives Arizona confidence that it has enough firepower.

Dodgers

1. Shohei Ohtani, DH
2. Kyle Tucker, RF
3. Mookie Betts, SS
4. Freddie Freeman, 1B
5. Will Smith, C
6. Teoscar Hernández, LF
7. Max Muncy, 3B
8. Andy Pages, CF
9. Miguel Rojas, 2B

The Dodgers may just have the most dangerous lineup in baseball. Tucker's addition brings another big bat to the top third. The fact that Pages, who hit 27 homers last year, is likely hitting in the bottom third is a testament to the length of this lineup. Rojas is more likely to play against left-handers in the regular season, but given his World Series heroics and that this is his last season before retirement, expect him to start on Opening Day.

Who are the starting pitchers?
D-backs: RHP Zac Gallen
Previous Opening Days starts: 2023, 2024, 2025
2025 season: 13-15, 4.83 ERA in 33 starts

Merrill Kelly was initially tabbed as the Opening Day starter, but a back issue early in camp set him back and Lovullo pivoted to Gallen. The 30-year-old declined a qualifying offer last fall, but wound up signing a one-year contract with the Diamondbacks four days after Spring Training began.

• D-backs-Dodgers Opening Day starters: Gallen vs. Yamamoto

Dodgers: RHP Yoshinobu Yamamoto
Previous Opening Day starts: 2025
2025 season: 12-8, 2.49 ERA in 30 starts

Yamamoto emerged as the Dodgers' ace in 2025, when he was the only member of the rotation who did not miss a start. He finished third in NL Cy Young Award voting behind unanimous winner Paul Skenes and runner-up Cristopher Sánchez. But it was in the postseason that he really shined, tossing complete games in consecutive outings in Game 2 of the NLCS and Game 2 of the World Series. He was the winning pitcher in three of the Dodgers' four World Series victories, earning series MVP honors.

How might the bullpens line up after the starter?
D-backs: The bullpen was a weak spot for Arizona last year, but there is hope it will be better in 2026. Paul Sewald’s velocity has ticked up this winter, and the Diamondbacks signed him to a one-year deal just after camp opened. After an impressive spring, it looks like Sewald will get the first shot at closing, though Lovullo hasn’t officially said that. Kevin Ginkel, Jonathan Loáisiga and Ryan Thompson could be the bridge to get the game to him.

Dodgers: Prepare for the sound of trumpets at Dodger Stadium, as new addition Edwin Díaz will get the call in save situations. By locking down the ninth inning, the Dodgers are hoping it will have a ripple effect for a bullpen that struggled mightily last year. Tanner Scott will be used as a setup man, which should allow for more favorable matchups for him. L.A. is hopeful that both he and Blake Treinen will bounce back from last season to form a more reliable leverage unit, along with fireman Alex Vesia.

Any injuries of note?
D-backs: Kelly will open the year on the IL along with Burnes, Puk, Martinez and more, which will make things challenging on the pitching side of things. But the Diamondbacks appear to have caught a break when outfielder Carroll recovered quickly from a broken right hamate bone early in camp, and he and looks good to go for the opener.

Dodgers: The injured list is already robust to begin the season, featuring starters Blake Snell and Gavin Stone; relievers Brock Stewart, Evan Phillips and Brusdar Graterol; and utility men Tommy Edman and Kiké Hernández. Only Hernández and Phillips are beginning the season on the 60-day IL, so the others could potentially return within the first two months.

Who’s hot and who’s not?
D-backs: Lawlar has swung a hot bat this spring, going 15-for-46 (.326) with four homers while adjusting to playing the outfield. Thomas also swung the bat well and had a big game against Brazil in the World Baseball Classic. Carroll has only two hits in 17 at-bats (.118) likely due to the hand injury, but looked better toward the end of camp.

Dodgers: Teoscar Hernández, who regressed last year, and Pages, who posted a dismal .211 OPS in the postseason, got a ton of playing time during Spring Training, by their own choice. They were among the Dodgers' hottest hitters this spring. Ohtani is only 3-for-11 (.273), but his performance in the World Baseball Classic showed that he's not exactly cold. Alex Freeland has had an uninspiring spring, going 5-for-45 (.111), but the Dodgers trusted in his stronger underlying metrics and decided to carry him on the Opening Day roster anyway.

Anything else fans might want to know?
• The legendary Clayton Kershaw will make his return to Dodger Stadium -- behind the mic, rather than on the mound. Kershaw will serve as an analyst alongside Bob Costas during an on-site pregame show.

• The Dodgers will raise their 2025 World Series banner on Opening Day. The ring ceremony will take place the next day.