Rockies vs. Diamondbacks preview: Game times, TV schedule, live streaming info, matchups and more

The Colorado Rockies open the season against the "winner of the offseason," the Arizona Diamondbacks. After the surprise signing of Zack Greinke away from the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Diamondbacks followed up that signing by making two big trades, one for Shelby Miller from the Braves and the other with the Brewers for Jean Segura. The question for the Diamondbacks is whether they made enough improvements to contend against the Giants and Dodgers, or if they will simply be a repeat of the previous offseason's winner, the San Diego Padres.

The Diamondbacks were also the best team in the Cactus League with an impressive 24-8 record. Second only to the Washington Nationals of the Grapefruit League in winning percentage this past spring training, the Diamondbacks are now hoping to continue their success into the regular season.

The Diamondbacks are a familiar foe for the Rockies on Opening Day. This will be the Rockies' 24th Opening Day and seventh time facing the Diamondbacks for Opening Day. Considering that they didn't exist for the first five years of the Rockies' existence, the D-backs have been the Rockies' Opening Day opponent 36 percent of the time since becoming a franchise.

The Rockies have a 3-3 record against the Diamondbacks on Opening Day, but a 2-1 record when opening the season in Arizona. The last time the Rockies opened the season in Arizona was 2009. That game was a wild affair that the Rockies lost 9-8 and the starting pitchers for both teams, Aaron Cook and Brandon Webb, each allowed six earned runs in abbreviated starts.

Overall, the Rockies do not fare well in Arizona. Ever since the Diamondbacks became a franchise, the Rockies have struggled to a 53-105 record, which is easily the Rockies worst record among NL West parks.

Diamondbacks Power Rankings

1. Rotation: The Diamondbacks spent a lot of money and resources to ensure that their rotation would be one of the best in baseball, and it's definitely an impressive group to start the season. Greinke, Miller, Patrick Corbin, Rubby De La Rosa and Robbie Ray make up the rotation. There are some concerns about whether or not each of those players will live up to what is expected of them this year, but for now they are most definitely the strength of this club. Unfortunately for the Rockies, they have to face Greinke, Miller and Corbin in this series.

2. Lineup: This was the strength of the team last year, however, the Diamondbacks dealt one of the stars of that lineup, Ender Inciarte, to the Brave in exchange for Miller. They also just lost their second best hitter, A.J. Pollock, to an elbow injury that will keep him out of the lineup for the foreseeable future. The Diamondbacks were counting on some of their younger players making a step forward to replace the production of Inciarte, but the loss of Pollock has probably placed them in too deep of a hole to expect similar offensive production this year.

3. Bullpen: The Diamondbacks rotation last year was the weakest part of the team; however, the bullpen wasn't much better, and unlike the rotation, they didn't add significant firepower. Tyler Clippard was the one addition of note, but he's been trending the wrong direction and probably won't provide as much help as this pen needs

Who to watch: Hitter

Paul Goldschmidt is easily the Diamondbacks best hitter, and he enjoys hitting against the Rockies. Interestingly enough he hasn't performed as well at Coors Field, but in Arizona he demolishes Rockies pitching with a frightening frequency.

Often forgotten in MVP conversations, Goldschmidt provides great power and plate discipline while also maintaining a high batting average, something rarely seen in baseball. The biggest concern for Goldschmidt this year will be whether or not the rest of the Diamondbacks lineup can provide him with enough run-scoring opportunities and protection to allow him to make another run at winning the MVP.

Who to watch: Pitcher

While the easy answer here would be Greinke or Miller, Corbin is by far the most interesting pitcher for the Diamondbacks. In 2013, Corbin at age 23 looked primed to be the anchor and ace of the Diamondbacks rotation for years to come. Unfortunately, as is too often the case for a promising young pitcher, an elbow injury and Tommy John surgery derailed Corbin's 2014 season and half of last year as well. Once he finally made it back last July, Corbin appeared ready to reestablish himself as one of the premier young pitchers in baseball.

Game times, TV schedule, and probable pitchers (all times Mountain)

Monday, April. 4, 7:40 p.m.: De La Rosa vs. Greinke 
TV: Root Sports; Streaming: MLB.TV; Radio: 850 KOA

Tuesday, April. 5, 7:40 p.m.: Bettis vs. Miller
TV: Root Sports; Streaming: MLB.TV; Radio: 850 KOA

Wednesday, April 6, 1:40 p.m.: Chatwood vs. Corbin
TV: Root Sports; Streaming: MLB.TV; Radio: 850 KOA

For more information, check out the best source for Arizona Diamondback news, AZ Snake Pit