Sunday’s matchup between the Miami Marlins and Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field offers a compelling close to this three-game weekend series, with both teams looking to leave June on a strong note and build positive momentum heading into the dog days of summer. The Diamondbacks enter the contest at 41–41, hovering at the .500 mark and fighting to remain relevant in the competitive NL West, while the Marlins sit at 36–45, seeking to snap a recent slide and climb out of the cellar in the NL East. Arizona has found offensive stability through Ketel Marte, who continues to be a spark at the top of the order, and Christian Walker, whose power threat has delivered much-needed clutch hits throughout the season. Though the team’s batting average remains in the lower third of the league, Arizona has been timely with its scoring and effective in exploiting mistakes, particularly at home where they’ve covered the run line in four of their last six games. On the mound, Merrill Kelly is expected to take the ball for the Diamondbacks, bringing with him a strong 3.39 ERA and excellent command, particularly in keeping the ball on the ground and limiting walks. Miami, meanwhile, will likely counter with Edward Cabrera, who has been one of the few bright spots in a rotation plagued by inconsistency, as his 3.78 ERA and impressive strikeout rate give the Marlins hope in a tough road matchup.

Offensively, the Marlins have shown flashes behind the bats of Kyle Stowers and Otto Lopez, both of whom have brought some balance and situational hitting to an otherwise middling lineup. Miami averages about 4.2 runs per game but struggles to generate sustained rallies due to a lack of power threats and on-base consistency. Defensively, both teams have experienced lapses, with Arizona holding a .982 fielding percentage and Miami slightly ahead at .985, meaning defensive execution could play a crucial role in what’s expected to be a tightly contested game. Historically, this matchup has skewed toward higher-scoring affairs, with the total going over in six of their last eight meetings, and both bullpens have had trouble closing out games, which could set the stage for late-inning drama. The key battlegrounds will include how well Kelly handles the Marlins’ left-handed hitters and whether Cabrera can navigate the heart of the Diamondbacks’ order without giving up the long ball. If Arizona’s lineup can jump on Cabrera early and hand a lead to their bullpen with some cushion, the Diamondbacks are well-positioned to take the series. Conversely, if the Marlins can keep the game close and force Arizona into high-leverage bullpen situations, they could steal one late and head back east with a much-needed win. Ultimately, this game has all the ingredients of a coin-flip contest, hinging on execution, timely hitting, and which side’s starter can deliver the more efficient outing.