First pitch is scheduled for 9:40 PM ET / 6:40 PM MST
Venue: Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona
TV/Streaming: BravesVision / Dbacks.TV / MLB.TV / ESPN Unlmtd
This is the opener of a four-game interleague series at Chase Field. The Braves arrive with a solid 4-2 record after a strong homestand, while the Diamondbacks sit at 3-3, looking to even things up at home early in the season.
Weather Update
Game-time conditions in Phoenix will be ideal for outdoor baseball: temperatures around 82-84°F at first pitch, with light winds (8-10 mph, variable direction) and very low humidity (~15-20%). Zero percent chance of rain. Chase Field’s retractable roof will likely be open given the comfortable evening temps and clear skies—no weather delays expected, though the dry air could slightly favor hitters with carry on fly balls.
Injury Report
Atlanta Braves (key absences):
C Sean Murphy: 10-day IL (right hip labrum repair – expected return early May; rehab assignment possibly starting soon).
SP Spencer Strider: 15-day IL (left oblique strain – retro to late March; eligible mid-April).
INF Ha-Seong Kim: 10-day IL (right middle finger laceration – out until mid-May).
RHP Hurston Waldrep: 15-day IL (elbow surgery – out several months).
RP Daysbel Hernández: 15-day IL (shoulder issue).
Additional depth arms (e.g., Spencer Schwellenbach elbow) remain sidelined longer-term, thinning the rotation and bullpen early. Position players are mostly healthy, with Ronald Acuña Jr. fully available.
Arizona Diamondbacks (key absences):
OF Lourdes Gurriel Jr.: 10-day IL (knee).
C Adrian Del Castillo: 10-day IL (calf).
INF Tyler Locklear: 10-day IL (elbow).
1B/OF Pavin Smith: 10-day IL (elbow).
The D-backs are missing key offensive and defensive pieces, forcing lineup shuffling and bullpen strain, but core stars like Ketel Marte and Corbin Carroll remain active.
Probable Pitchers & Key Player Matchups
Braves: RHP Reynaldo López (0-0, 1.50 ERA in 6.0 IP; 0.83 WHIP, strong command with just 2 BB and 3 K early). López has looked efficient and stingy with contact.
Diamondbacks: RHP Ryne Nelson (0-0, 7.71 ERA in 4.2 IP; 1.07 WHIP but 2 HR allowed and command issues). Nelson has been hittable early and will need to sharpen up at home.
Key Matchups to Watch:
Braves sluggers Matt Olson, Marcell Ozuna, and Austin Riley vs. Nelson’s fastball-heavy approach—
Nelson has surrendered hard contact early; the Braves offense has been clicking.
D-backs speedsters Corbin Carroll and Ketel Marte (multi-hit threats) against López’s sinker/changeup mix—López has limited damage vs. lefties in limited action.
Rookie or depth infielders filling in for injured D-backs could struggle against López’s low-walk style.
Braves baserunners vs. D-backs defense (minus Gurriel’s arm in left).
Team Recent Form
Braves (4-2): Off to a 4-2 start overall. They just wrapped a successful homestand against the Athletics, showing balanced offense and pitching depth despite injuries. Scoring has been consistent, and the bullpen has been reliable.
Diamondbacks (3-3): Sitting at .500 with a 3-0 home record so far but 0-3 on the road in the young season. Offense has shown flashes (especially Marte and Carroll), but inconsistent pitching and injuries have led to some high-scoring losses.
The Braves enter with momentum and better overall health in the lineup; Arizona will lean on home-crowd energy to bounce back.
Series History
Interleague matchup with the Braves holding a slight historical edge in recent seasons (exact 2025 series split not detailed, but Atlanta took the majority of meetings). This is the first 2026 series between them—a four-gamer that could set the tone for both clubs’ NL playoff pushes. The D-backs have played well at Chase Field early, but the Braves’ road success in limited 2026 action gives them the slight series edge on paper.
Game Odds
Atlanta Braves – 120
Arizona Diamondbacks 9
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Wednesday, April 1, 2026
