Heading to the Diamondbacks playoff game? Here’s what you need to know

PHOENIX — The Arizona Diamondbacks are bringing their fight for the Major League Baseball championship back to Phoenix on Monday, when they will take on the Los Angeles Dodgers in the third game of the National League division series.

The team is completing in the playoffs for the first time since 2011, and while the Diamondbacks are down 0-2 in the series, downtown Phoenix is expected to get a little baseball crazy.

Tickets for the game sold out just hours before the first pitch on Monday. In comparison, tickets for the Wild Card game versus the Colorado Rockies sold out in less than two hours after the public was able to purchase tickets.

But that is not the only big event happening in downtown Phoenix on Monday: Just next door to Chase Field, the Phoenix Suns will play the Utah Jazz at Talking Stick Resort Arena in a preseason game.

So between the Diamondbacks game, which is expected to start at 7:08 p.m. with the first pitch, and the Suns game, which will begin at 7 p.m., downtown Phoenix could be a little bit busier than usual.

Here’s everything you need to know about the game, all the way from traffic to things to do:

So what’s this game all about?

The Diamondbacks need to pull of a win against the Dodgers on Monday to continue in the playoffs and fight for a spot in the World Series.

But if they lose, the season would officially be over.

The Diamondbacks pulled off a wild win at home last week, when they beat the Rockies 11-8 to win the National League Wild Card Game in front of a sold-out crowd of 48,803 people.

Needless to say, the team enjoyed taking home a W.

Everybody one clap 👏🍾 #OurSeason pic.twitter.com/qd37Z9Ykow

— Arizona Sports (@AZSports) October 5, 2017

When does it start?

First pitch was scheduled for 7:08 p.m., which means fans of the team will likely miss rush hour, but will run into a whole different host of problems when it comes to game-day traffic.

But fans should plan on getting to Chase Field early, as gates for the game will open at 5 p.m. and pregame festivities start at 4 p.m. Fans are also encouraged to be in their seats by 6:30 p.m.

Can I still get tickets?

Unfortunately, no. Tickets for the game were available — and for as low as $25 — just hours before the first pitch was thrown.

What do I do if I get there early?

Fans who find themselves getting there ahead of time will have a lot of options.

For the early arrivers, there will be a street festival along Fourth and Jackson streets that kicks off at 4 p.m. It will feature a live DJ, a beer garden, a postseason merchandise truck and the Diamondbacks Street Team.

Other pre-game festivities include a ceremonial first pitch by Olympic athlete Michael Phelps, the national anthem performed by Roger Clyne, lead singer of Roger Clyne and the Peacemakers, and an American flag held by APS veteran employees and members of the Phoenix Police Department, the Phoenix Fire Department and Arizona Department of Public Safety.

The first 40,000 fans will also receive a Diamondbacks rally towel.

OK, so how do I get there?

Like we said, first pitch was scheduled for 7:08 p.m., so we’re taking a page out of the D-backs’ book and advising people to get down there early.

Considering that rush hour begins about 3 p.m., fans should consider using the light rail if they want to avoid traffic.

Those coming from the East Valley should use a westbound train and get off at Third and Washington streets.

People heading downtown from the West Valley should use an eastbound train and get off at Third and Jefferson streets.

Fans who want to drive downtown and park can use the Seventh Street exit from either Interstate 10 or Interstate 17 to reach the ballpark.

Of course, there are other ways to get downtown. We’d recommend using a GPS device if you have one to figure out the fastest way for you.

According to Sgt. Mercedes Fortune, spokeswoman for the Phoenix Police Department, there are no scheduled street closures in the downtown area, so that should not affect your commute.

The department will also have officers on-hand directing traffic, so if anyone has any questions, they can direct them to those officers.

Where should I park?

There are plenty of places to park in the area immediately around Chase Field, but drivers should be prepared to pay to get in.

There is a large parking garage between Washington and Jefferson streets near Seventh Street, just north of Chase Field.

There is also a large garage on the south side of the stadium along with several private lots along Buchanan Street.

The Bank of American building on Washington Street has an underground parking garage in which fans can park.

Other garages — such as the one at the Arizona Center near Fillmore and Third streets — are a short walk from Chase Field.

Good eats?

Are you kidding? It’s the Diamondbacks.

The team has gotten a reputation for having some of baseball’s better dishes.

According to Thrillist, some of the must-try foods at Chase Field include the sweet potato tots from Paradise Valley Burger Company, D-Bat dog and — the classic — churro dog.

What if I work downtown?

If you work in the downtown area and don’t plan on sticking around for the festivities, you may want to alter your schedule that day, if at all possible.

We’d expect things to get busy around 3 p.m. and stay that way through at least 8 p.m., when most of the fans should be inside Chase Field.

Traffic — on the sidewalks, roads and light rail — will pick up again somewhere around 10:30 p.m., when the game should end.

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