👋 GOOD MORNING ⚾️
Happy Thursday, and HAPPY OPENING DAY! Much more on the Diamondbacks’ opener below (sound off in our poll below!), and today’s jam-packed issue will also include a peek at the Wildcats’ Sweet 16 matchup against Duke. I wanted to start the day, though, by highlighting something Molly Miller said yesterday at her introductory press conference as the new ASU women’s head basketball coach.
“When there’s no wind in your sail, row. And we’re going to row.”
That’s not just sports advice. That’s life advice. And I’ll leave you with that.
On to the show!
Diamondbacks’ Journey to October Begins Tonight
It’s only Game 1.
Tonight’s Opening Day matchup against the Cubs (7:10 pm, DBacks.TV) will not decide the fate of the 2025 Arizona Diamondbacks. Win or lose, there’s 161 more games, so save your overreactions either way. That said, the D-backs enter this year with elevated expectations, and rightfully so: Last year’s team won five more games than the one that won the NL pennant in 2023.
Will the Diamondbacks Spending More Money Equal More Winning?
The Diamondbacks have Major League Baseball’s eighth-highest active roster payroll (almost $156 million) to kick off the season, though the Dodgers’ number of $290 million dwarfs that significantly. Still, the expanded payroll is refreshing for Arizona fans to see, especially as the team’s window to win is wide open. New additions Josh Naylor and Corbin Burnes have elevated the excitement level in The Valley heading into the 2025 season, and manager Torey Lovullo’s team has a strong mixture of veteran leadership and up-and-coming talent.
- Infielders Ketel Marte (31 years old) and Eugenio Suarez (33) pair well with Geraldo Perdomo (25) and Josh Naylor (28).
- Outfielder Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (31) compliments Corbin Carroll (24) and Jake McCarthy (27).
- Starting pitchers Merrill Kelly (36), Eduardo Rodriguez (32) and Corbin Burnes (30) are a great balance with Zac Gallen (29) and Brandon Pfaadt (26).
My take: Last year’s team owned the top offense in the league, but its pitching staff was massively disappointing en route to missing the playoffs. Even so, there’s plenty to build upon considering its 89-73 finish in 2024, and the Diamondbacks are poised to improve upon that number with additions like Burnes, a four-time All-Star and former Cy Young winner, as well as Naylor, who is coming off an All-Star season after hitting 31 home runs while knocking in 108 RBI.
But, how will the team handle the inevitable injury bug when it bites? Or the midseason slumps that pop up? Honestly, I feel confident that a well-balanced roster with above-average expectations is poised to work through all of the curveballs thrown their way.
Yeah. Pun intended. Happy Opening Day!
Take a deeper dive: David previews the Diamondbacks’ starting rotation ahead of Opening Day.
Wildcats Dreaming of Elite 8 Appearance
The Arizona Wildcats men’s basketball team has a rare opportunity to exact a little revenge against a non-conference opponent as it prepares to face top-seeded Duke in the Sweet 16 tonight (6:40 pm, CBS). A familiar face just may help them do it.
- The Blue Devils beat the Wildcats 69-55 in Tucson on Nov. 22.
- Caleb Love has faced Duke nine times, and he helped cement North Carolina’s Final Four win in 2022.
- Duke has lost just three games all season, and just once since late November.
- Duke is a 9.5 point favorite according to bet365.
Damon and Kevin were joined by Arizona legend Derrick Williams and talked about how they can pull off the upset!
Musings From Around (and Sometimes Beyond) The Valley
Where Will He Koa?: Blue-Chip prospect Koa Peat is set to announce his college decision today on the Pat McAfee show, and the Gilbert native (Perry High School) is choosing between Arizona, Arizona State, Baylor, Houston and Texas. Tune in, because one of those schools is about to land one of the top recruits in the nation.
Suns’ Streak Snapped: The Suns were blown out 132-102 by the Celtics last night, snapping their four-game winning streak while also missing out on a golden opportunity to create a little distance between them and the Mavs, who had fallen a half game behind for the postseason’s final play-in spot.
Dynamic Duo: Sun Devil beach volleyball Juniors Tori Clement and Kendall Whitmarsh were named Big 12 Pair of the Week after going undefeated against four ranked teams, marking the second time this season ASU has earned the weekly award. Clement and Whitmarsh defeated No. 10 Texas, No 12 LSU, No. 18 Georgia State and No. 20 Florida International. Congrats!
Race for the Playoffs: The Tucson Roadrunners picked up a critical victory last night, extending their lead over Bakersfield to three points for the final Pacific Division playoff spot. The Condors do have a game in hand, and the two meet in a critical matchup this Saturday in Bakersfield.
🧢 Tip of the Hat
Make sure to catch the highlights from Molly Miller’s introductory press conference – our PHNX Sun Devils crew has you covered!
