Diamondbacks-Padres live updates. Who will be fan favorites in Mexico?

TL;DR

The Diamondbacks are set to play two games against the Padres in Mexico City, where they are not expected to be the crowd favorites. Players hope to win over local fans during the series.

Key points

Diamondbacks play two games against Padres in Mexico City
Diamondbacks are not expected to be crowd favorites
Alek Thomas hopes to win over local fans
Players anticipate a passionate atmosphere at the games

Mentioned in this story

Estadio Alfredo Harp Helú

Arizona DiamondbacksSan Diego PadresAlek ThomasGeraldo Perdomo

MEXICO CITY — The Diamondbacks are technically the home team for the two games they will play against the San Diego Padres here at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helú, but they aren’t expected to be the crowd favorite.

Center fielder Alek Thomas said before the game on Saturday, April 25, that he knows Mexico is filled with some “hardcore Padres fans,” but he hopes the Diamondbacks can change some minds.

“Hopefully we can sway them a little bit to be Diamondbacks fans after this series,” Thomas said. “I’m looking forward to the crowd reaction.”

Either way, the Diamondbacks are expecting a fun atmosphere for the two games in Mexico City.

“I feel like it’s going to be loud,” shortstop Geraldo Perdomo said. “These people are passionate, like our people (Dominicans). You know how the Latin people are. They are passionate about what they do and what they love. These fans over here, they love baseball.”

The Diamondbacks had an off day on Friday, April 24, with several players saying they walked around the city, visited museums and had excellent meals at local restaurants.

Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo was part of a group that got to meet Mexican president Claudia Sheinbaum Pardo, which he called “an absolute honor.”

“She was very hospitable, very welcoming and very engaged in having a good baseball conversation,” Lovullo said. “I know the former president (Andrés Manuel López Obrador) was a very big baseball fan and I think she’s trying to become that, as well. The questions she was asking were very engaging.”