Diamondbacks host Blue Jays in weekend series

Arizona looks to continue strong start after successful road trip

Apr. 17, 2026 at 8:09pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a baseball game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Toronto Blue Jays, with the players and field broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes and planes of color.The Diamondbacks and Blue Jays square off in a weekend series, with both teams looking to gain momentum in the early season.Phoenix Today

The Arizona Diamondbacks return home to Chase Field following a successful three-city, nine-game road trip, during which they took all three series against their opponents. They will host the Toronto Blue Jays for a three-game weekend series, with Michael Soroka, Zac Gallen, and Ryne Nelson scheduled to start for the Diamondbacks.

Why it matters

The Diamondbacks have gotten off to an 11-8 start and will look to continue their winning ways at home against the struggling Blue Jays, who are 7-11 on the season. Soroka, an offseason acquisition, has been a pleasant surprise for Arizona and will make his first career start against the Blue Jays, the first Canadian pitcher to do so for the Diamondbacks.

The details

The Diamondbacks won two of three games in each of their recent series against the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, and Baltimore Orioles. Soroka, 28, has been solid in his first few starts for Arizona, and his spot in the rotation was solidified after Merrill Kelly's injury. Lauer, the scheduled starter for the Blue Jays, has had success against the Diamondbacks in the past, but is off to a rough start in 2026. The series will also feature matchups between Gallen and Scherzer, as well as Nelson and Gausman.

  • The series opener is on Friday, April 17 at 7:10 p.m. local time.
  • The middle game is on Saturday, April 18 at 5:10 p.m. local time.
  • The series finale is on Sunday, April 19 at 1:10 p.m. local time.
  • The Diamondbacks have an off day on Monday, April 20.
  • The Diamondbacks will then host the Chicago White Sox on Tuesday, April 21 at 6:40 p.m. local time.

The players

Michael Soroka

A 28-year-old right-handed pitcher who was an offseason acquisition for the Diamondbacks and will make his first career start against the Blue Jays.

Eric Lauer

A left-handed pitcher for the Blue Jays who has had success against the Diamondbacks in the past, but is off to a rough start in 2026.

Zac Gallen

A right-handed pitcher for the Diamondbacks who is scheduled to start the middle game of the series against the Blue Jays.

Max Scherzer

A right-handed pitcher for the Blue Jays who is scheduled to start the middle game of the series against the Diamondbacks.

Ryne Nelson

A right-handed pitcher for the Diamondbacks who is scheduled to start the series finale against the Blue Jays.

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What they’re saying

“Soroka has been solid in the first few starts of his time with the Diamondbacks. Merrill Kelly's injury locked up a spot in the rotation for Soroka, signed in the offseason, and he's grabbed hold of it.”

— Nick Piecoro, Author

“Lauer pitched well against the Diamondbacks last June in Toronto, allowing a run on four hits over five innings with eight strikeouts. He's 4-4 with a 2.38 ERA over 10 career starts against Arizona, but he's off to a bit of a rough start in 2026, with losses in his last two appearances and nine earned runs and eight walks in a combined 7 1/3 innings over those two starts.”

— Nick Piecoro, Author

What’s next

The Diamondbacks will look to continue their strong start to the season and take advantage of the struggling Blue Jays, while Toronto will aim to turn things around in the series.

The takeaway

The Diamondbacks' successful road trip has them in a good position to build on their 11-8 start, and the weekend series against the Blue Jays provides an opportunity for them to maintain their momentum at home. The matchup between Soroka and the Blue Jays, the first Canadian pitcher to face the team, adds an interesting storyline to the series.