The Arizona Diamondbacks return to Chase Field on August 24 for a crucial home contest against the playoff-hopeful Cincinnati Reds, hoping to halt a recent slide that has put their own postseason aspirations in jeopardy. Arizona enters the matchup having struggled with consistency in both pitching and run production throughout August, slipping below .500 and desperately needing a spark to regain traction in the NL Wild Card race. While the team has shown flashes of brilliance, particularly in close games at home, the inability to string together quality starts or sustained offensive output has been a lingering concern. The Diamondbacks continue to rely on young cornerstone players like Corbin Carroll, who has fought through a sophomore slump with signs of resurgence at the plate, and Ketel Marte, whose steady bat and veteran leadership remain vital to the team’s offensive identity. Christian Walker anchors the middle of the order with his power threat and solid defense at first base, though strikeouts have occasionally stalled key rallies. Arizona’s pitching staff has been hit-or-miss, with Zac Gallen shouldering the load at the top of the rotation. Gallen is expected to start against the Reds, and while he hasn’t quite replicated his 2023 Cy Young-caliber form, he remains capable of dominating lineups when he commands his fastball and curve.

The bullpen has been one of the team’s Achilles’ heels in recent weeks, with blown leads and late-inning control issues costing the Diamondbacks multiple winnable games. Kevin Ginkel and Paul Sewald have both shown potential in high-leverage situations, but inconsistency and overuse have diminished their reliability. Defensively, the Diamondbacks remain sound, ranking near the top of the league in fielding percentage and excelling in turning double plays and limiting extra-base hits in the gaps. Manager Torey Lovullo has juggled lineups frequently to find a winning formula, often leaning on matchups and platoons to spark offense, but a lack of depth on the bench has limited his flexibility in late innings. Against a Reds team built on speed, Arizona’s ability to control the running game will be tested, putting pressure on both Gallen and catcher Gabriel Moreno to keep runners honest. Offensively, Arizona needs a breakout performance from someone other than Marte or Walker, as prolonged slumps from players like Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Jake McCarthy have left the lineup top-heavy. With the season entering its final stretch, the Diamondbacks understand the urgency of every game, especially at home where they’ve historically played better. A strong performance from Gallen paired with timely hitting and a clean bullpen finish could reset the tone for the rest of the homestand. Though they’ve had difficulty covering spreads recently, Arizona remains a dangerous team capable of turning things around quickly if they get early momentum. Sunday’s game offers the Diamondbacks a high-leverage opportunity to make a statement, disrupt a surging Reds squad, and show their fans that they are not ready to fade quietly from the postseason picture.