The Tampa Bay Rays and Arizona Diamondbacks will wrap up their three-game interleague series on April 24, 2025, at Chase Field in a contest that highlights two clubs moving in opposite directions in the early part of the season. The Diamondbacks come into the finale with a strong 13-9 record and a chance to secure the sweep, riding high on the strength of an explosive offense and quality starting pitching, while the Rays, at 9-13, continue to search for answers as they navigate injuries, underperformance, and mounting pressure to turn things around. Arizona has taken the first two games of the series with impressive offensive displays, averaging over five runs per game and leaning on a consistent approach that has overwhelmed Tampa Bay’s unstable pitching staff. On the mound for the finale, the D-backs will turn to Brandon Pfaadt, who has emerged as a reliable presence in the rotation, entering with a 3-1 record and a 3.13 ERA over 23 innings pitched. Tampa Bay counters with Zack Littell, who has endured a rocky start to the season at 0-4 with a 5.48 ERA, often unable to work deep into games or hold down early leads, a trend the Rays desperately need to reverse if they hope to avoid the sweep. From an offensive perspective, the Diamondbacks have the edge in nearly every statistical category. They’re scoring 5.45 runs per game—among the best in the league—and have benefited from the standout play of Corbin Carroll, who leads the team with a .287 average and a .529 slugging percentage. Ketel Marte continues to be a valuable piece in the middle of the order with his .275 average and .344 on-base percentage, while other contributors like Christian Walker and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. have provided power and protection that forces pitchers to work hard through every inning.

The combination of speed, gap-to-gap power, and plate discipline has given Arizona one of the most dangerous and balanced lineups in the National League. In the field, they’ve kept errors to a minimum and have turned in clutch plays, especially in high-leverage situations. This consistency on both sides of the ball has allowed manager Torey Lovullo to deploy his bullpen confidently, knowing his team often has a lead to protect. If Pfaadt can deliver another quality start and avoid giving Tampa Bay’s bats a spark, the D-backs should be in prime position to finish the sweep and solidify their strong standing in the early NL West race. The Rays, on the other hand, enter the finale facing a growing list of concerns. Their offense has struggled to generate timely hits and consistent scoring, posting just 4.27 runs per game, and despite a lineup featuring Yandy Díaz (.258/.399) and emerging infielder Junior Caminero (.275 AVG), they haven’t been able to sustain rallies or pressure opposing pitchers over full nine-inning efforts. Injuries and underperformance in the rotation have further exacerbated the issue, with Littell’s poor start highlighting a lack of depth and reliability that has taxed the bullpen and forced manager Kevin Cash to push matchups creatively. Tampa Bay is known for its adaptability and resourcefulness, but the margins are thinner than ever this season, and the team is now in need of wins—not just effort. If they’re to avoid a sweep, it starts with Littell keeping the game manageable through the first five innings and the offense finding a way to scratch out early runs. Arizona has not given up many late leads, so the Rays must play with urgency from the first pitch and take advantage of any early opportunities. With the AL East already shaping up to be a brutal division, each game holds significant weight for Tampa Bay, and a win here could be the turning point in what’s been a difficult April.