First pitch: 4:15 p.m. ET
Venue: Chase Field, Phoenix, Arizona
TV: NBCSN / Peacock
This is the series finale of a three-game set at Chase Field. The series is split 1-1: Arizona blanked Cincinnati 9-0 on Friday (Jordan Lawlar’s multi-RBI game and Eduardo Rodriguez’s strong start), while the Reds exploded for an 11-5 win on Saturday (JJ Bleday hit for the cycle; Elly De La Cruz had four hits including a homer). The Diamondbacks remain in the thick of the NL wild-card race; the Reds sit near the bottom of the NL Central.
Starting Pitchers
Cincinnati: LHP Andrew Abbott (6-8, 4.07 ERA, 1.40 WHIP, 108 K in 139.1 IP). Veteran left-hander with mixed results in 2026; capable of quality starts but has dealt with inconsistency and higher walk rates at times. Recent outings have been serviceable.
Arizona: LHP Mitch Bratt (1-2, 4.17 ERA, 1.47 WHIP, 25 K in 36.2 IP). Young left-hander (23) making limited big-league starts after a midseason call-up. Has shown flashes (including a strong outing vs. San Diego) but remains inexperienced and can be prone to walks.
Current Rosters / Key Players
Reds key contributors: Elly De La Cruz (SS, multi-hit power/speed threat), JJ Bleday (OF, recent cycle and production), Sal Stewart (1B, power and average leader), Tyler Stephenson (C), Eugenio Suárez (DH), Matt McLain (2B), Dane Myers (OF), Héctor Rodríguez (OF), Ke’Bryan Hayes (3B). Offense showed life with 16 hits on Saturday.
Diamondbacks key contributors: Corbin Carroll (OF), Gabriel Moreno (C, long hitting streak), Geraldo Perdomo (SS), Nolan Arenado (IF/DH, recent HR), Tim Tawa (IF), Ildemaro Vargas (IF), Jose Fernandez (IF), Ryan Waldschmidt (OF), Lars Nootbaar (OF). Home power and speed remain threats despite absences.
Exact lineups will be confirmed closer to first pitch.
Injury Reports
Reds: Spencer Steer (10-day IL, wrist); Hunter Greene, Brandon Williamson, Graham Ashcraft, Blake Dunn (longer-term IL); Michael Toglia (day-to-day, shoulder after recent exit). Core bats like De La Cruz, Bleday, and Stewart available.
Diamondbacks: Ketel Marte (10-day IL, knee); Lourdes Gurriel Jr. (10-day IL, adductor—rehab progressing); Tommy Troy (10-day IL); Ryan Thompson and Drey Jameson (15-day IL); longer-term absences including Zac Gallen, Corbin Burnes, Ryne Nelson, and several elbow/shoulder cases. Lineup thinner without Marte and Gurriel.
Weather Forecast (Chase Field / Phoenix)
Very hot and mostly sunny. Highs near 107–112°F with extreme heat risk. Lows in the upper 80s to low 90s. Light winds (southwest 5–10 mph). Low chance of afternoon thunderstorms (around 10%). Retractable roof at Chase Field is expected to be closed for player safety given the extreme heat; controlled indoor environment favors consistent conditions.
Recent Team Forms
Reds (62-68): Split the first two of the series after a mixed stretch. Offense exploded Saturday but has been inconsistent overall. Last 10 roughly 4-6.
Diamondbacks (68-62): Split the series so far while staying in the wild-card hunt. Strong at home but recent results mixed. Last 10 around 4-6.
Series History / Head-to-Head
Series tied 1-1 entering Sunday (Arizona 9-0 Friday; Cincinnati 11-5 Saturday). Season series has favored the Diamondbacks in limited 2026 meetings. Chase Field games can produce higher scoring.
Key Player vs. Player Matchups
Abbott (LHP) vs. Diamondbacks lefty-heavy or contact-oriented bats (Carroll, Moreno, Perdomo, Arenado, Tawa). Abbott’s ability to induce weak contact will be tested by Arizona’s home power.
Bratt (LHP, limited experience) vs. Reds speed and power (De La Cruz, Bleday’s recent form, Stewart, McLain). Bratt must limit free passes against an aggressive lineup that capitalized Saturday.
Bullpens and late innings: Both sides have mixed relief results. Power (De La Cruz, Arenado, Bleday) vs. speed (Carroll, De La Cruz). Closed roof neutralizes extreme weather.
Betting Trends
Arizona strong at home as favorites; Reds competitive as underdogs and capable of high-scoring road wins. Recent series games have gone both ways on totals (0 and 16 combined). Left-handed matchup and closed roof lean toward moderate scoring.
Game Odds
Cincinnati Reds 8.5
Arizona Diamondbacks – 126
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, August 22, 2026
