Gabriel Moreno Cleared to Start Game 1 vs. Dodgers
The Diamondbacks got some good news today with Gabriel Moreno. Arizona Sports radio host John Gambadoro is reporting that their young stud catcher will start behind the plate for Game 1 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Moreno was unable to finish last night's win over the Brewers after taking a backswing from Brice Turang to the back of the head. He was examined by team doctors after the inning and advised manager Torey Lovullo that it was too risky to send him back out there. Backup catcher José Herrera finished out the game. After the game, the D-backs young catcher was OK and participating in the team's Wild Card series victory celebration in the clubhouse.
Moreno has been a key factor in the D-backs resurgence in 2023. Arizona is 59-37 when he starts behind the plate in the regular and postseason, good for a .615 winning percentage. Not only has he been a solid bat in the lineup, with a .284 average, .747 OPS and 104 OPS+, but led the National League in caught stealing rate for catchers at 39% (22-57). His 4.3 Baseball Reference WAR is third on the team, behind Corbin Carroll (5.4) and Ketel Marte (4.9).
Facing a Dodgers team that won 100 games for the third straight season, the D-backs will need every one of their difference makers to stand a chance of advancing and having Moreno back is huge.
