The Arizona Diamondbacks enter the final game of their three-game set against the New York Yankees with an opportunity to complete a stunning sweep in the Bronx—something few predicted but which now feels well within reach. Coming off a strong 2023 season in which they reached the World Series, Arizona has continued to prove that their success was not a flash in the pan. They’ve opened the 2025 campaign with grit, cohesion, and a clear identity: solid pitching, opportunistic hitting, and disciplined execution. In the first two games of this series, the Diamondbacks have outplayed the Yankees in nearly every phase of the game. From Zac Gallen’s 13-strikeout masterpiece in Game 2 to Lourdes Gurriel Jr.’s timely home run and Ketel Marte’s steady infield presence, the D-backs are playing with confidence and sharpness that defy their road underdog status. Manager Torey Lovullo’s group has bought into a system that prioritizes team-first baseball, and so far, the results speak for themselves. Pitching has been the cornerstone of Arizona’s early success. Gallen, the team’s ace, was electric in his outing, mixing fastballs, curveballs, and changeups with surgical command. Backing him up has been a bullpen that has shown poise under pressure. A.J. Puk closed out Game 2 with authority, earning his second save of the season, while middle relievers have handled high-leverage innings without faltering. What’s most impressive is Arizona’s ability to pitch with a plan. They’ve managed to neutralize the Yankees’ right-handed-heavy lineup by keeping the ball down, changing speeds, and avoiding predictable sequencing. With New York’s sluggers largely kept in check through the first two games, the D-backs head into the series finale with a clear edge in pitching consistency and strategic execution.

The next starter will aim to replicate the success of Gallen and keep the pressure squarely on a Yankees team that’s searching for answers. Offensively, the Diamondbacks have done more than enough to win. While not overpowering at the plate, they’ve been opportunistic—capitalizing on runners in scoring position and taking advantage of defensive miscues. Gurriel Jr.’s two-run homer in Game 2 was a perfect example of how Arizona has seized momentum at key moments. Ketel Marte, fresh off a six-year contract extension, has been a steady contributor both with the bat and the glove. Corbin Carroll and Christian Walker also bring speed and power to the lineup, offering multiple ways to manufacture runs even when the long ball isn’t available. Arizona’s offensive approach—grinding out at-bats, putting balls in play, and staying aggressive on the basepaths—has kept New York off-balance and unable to dictate tempo. Defensively, Arizona has backed up their pitching staff with clean, efficient fielding, further reducing any chances for the Yankees to swing momentum. With a sweep in sight, the Diamondbacks are likely to stick to the formula that has worked: control the strike zone, limit mistakes, and capitalize on every opportunity. A win in Game 3 would not only complete a confidence-building sweep in a hostile environment, it would reinforce Arizona’s position as one of the National League’s most complete and quietly dangerous teams.