Diamondbacks Beat Dodgers 4-3 in Season-Opening Matchup
Arizona took down Los Angeles 4-3 on Saturday, opening the 2026 regular season with a win on the strength of another strong pitching performance and a lineup that got contributions up and down the order.
Ryan Waldschmidt led the way for the Diamondbacks with 29.5 fantasy points, providing another example of why he's becoming a dependable presence in that lineup. Merrill Kelly was outstanding on the mound, logging 28.7 fantasy points in a start that set the tone early and let the Arizona bullpen play with a lead. At 37, Kelly continues to look like a pitcher who understands exactly how to attack hitters, and his outing was the backbone of this win.
Nolan Arenado kept doing what Arenado does, producing 25.0 fantasy points and reminding everyone why he remains one of the most reliable presences in that infield. Geraldo Perdomo chipped in 24.5, continuing to establish himself as an everyday difference-maker up the middle. Tim Tawa added 19.0 points, giving Arizona contributions up and down the lineup rather than relying on one or two big performances. Even down the order, Jorge Barrosa chipped in as well, part of a team getting complete performances from top to bottom.
That's the story of these Diamondbacks right now. It's not one guy carrying the load. It's a rotation piece like Kelly setting the tone, a lineup getting steady production from Arenado and Perdomo, and complementary pieces like Waldschmidt and Tawa stepping into bigger roles. Arizona's recent form — with wins mixed among some lopsided losses to San Diego — suggests a team still figuring out its identity, but one that found the formula against the Dodgers on Saturday.
For fantasy managers, performances like Kelly's and Waldschmidt's stood out as the kind of production worth watching as the Diamondbacks look to build early momentum this season.