The Arizona Diamondbacks come into Thursday’s series finale at Chase Field with a 43-42 record and an eye on pushing above .500 before the All-Star break as they host a critical game against the division-rival San Francisco Giants. Despite inconsistent stretches, Arizona remains within striking distance in both the NL West and Wild Card races, and they know every game counts in what’s shaping up to be a tightly packed National League playoff field. Brandon Pfaadt will get the start for the Diamondbacks, entering with an 8-5 record but an elevated 5.38 ERA that reflects a season marked by volatility and occasional brilliance. Pfaadt has shown flashes of dominant command when he keeps the ball down and mixes his off-speed pitches effectively, but he’s also been vulnerable to big innings, especially when facing power-laden lineups. Against a Giants team that doesn’t hit for average but does excel in situational hitting and slugging from the middle of the order, Pfaadt will need to work ahead in counts and avoid giving free passes. Offensively, the Diamondbacks continue to be a productive and balanced unit, with a team batting average of .255 and several key contributors stepping up consistently. Josh Naylor leads the team with a scorching .304 average, setting the tone for an offense that can grind down starting pitchers through disciplined at-bats and gap-to-gap power.

Eugenio Suarez has been the club’s primary source of power, smashing 25 home runs and driving in 68 RBIs, often acting as the run producer behind Naylor’s table-setting presence. The D-backs also get key contributions from players like Ketel Marte and Corbin Carroll, whose speed and versatility keep opposing defenses on alert. At home, the Diamondbacks have been exactly .500 at 21-21, a record that underscores both their offensive potential and their bullpen’s tendency to give up leads in late innings. The relief corps has been inconsistent, and manager Torey Lovullo will need to deploy his best arms if the game remains close, especially against a Giants lineup that has found success capitalizing on middle-relief mismatches. Defensively, Arizona has been solid, particularly in the outfield where Carroll and Alek Thomas have routinely taken away extra-base hits, and the infield has been reliable in turning double plays and limiting unearned runs. With the run line favoring the Diamondbacks at -1.5 and a game total of 9 runs, oddsmakers are expecting a high-scoring contest, especially given Pfaadt’s uneven track record and the Giants’ recent run of quality offensive performances. Arizona will aim to strike early, put pressure on Robbie Ray before he settles in, and create scoring opportunities through aggressive baserunning and situational execution. A win in this game would not only give the D-backs a series split but inject much-needed momentum into their clubhouse heading into the second half of the season. For a team with postseason aspirations and the offensive tools to make a run, this game represents more than just a tally in the win column—it’s a chance to reassert their presence in the NL West and send a message that they are far from fading out of the playoff picture.