The Arizona Diamondbacks head to Nationals Park for a Sunday afternoon matchup against the Washington Nationals on July 26, with first pitch set for 1:35 PM ET. Right-hander Kohl Drake gets the ball for Arizona against Washington's Miles Mikolas in what shapes up as an intriguing pitching duel. With the regular season in full swing, every game in the standings matters, and the D-backs are rolling out a lineup loaded with recognizable names — Corbin Carroll, Ketel Marte, Nolan Arenado — against a Nationals club built around its own young core led by James Wood and CJ Abrams.

Pitching Matchup: Kohl Drake vs. Miles Mikolas

Kohl Drake draws the start for the Diamondbacks. The young arm will be tested immediately by a Washington lineup that features legitimate offensive talent top to bottom. Drake's ability to command the zone and keep the ball in the park will be the defining factor on his afternoon.

On the other side, Miles Mikolas takes the hill for Washington. A veteran presence with a well-documented ability to work efficiently and attack hitters with his sinker, Mikolas gives the Nationals a steady hand at the front of a home-crowd matinee. Arizona's lineup will need to be disciplined and patient to do damage against a pitcher who rarely beats himself.

Arizona Diamondbacks Starting Lineup

• 1. Corbin Carroll, RF
• 2. Geraldo Perdomo, SS
• 3. Gabriel Moreno, C
• 4. Ketel Marte, 2B
• 5. Max Kepler, LF
• 6. Nolan Arenado, 3B
• 7. Adrian Del Castillo, DH
• 8. Tyler Locklear, 1B
• 9. Tim Tawa, CF

Washington Nationals Starting Lineup

• 1. James Wood, RF
• 2. Andrés Chaparro, DH
• 3. Dylan Crews, LF
• 4. CJ Abrams, SS
• 5. Brady House, 3B
• 6. Jacob Young, CF
• 7. Harry Ford, C
• 8. Luis García Jr., 1B
• 9. Nasim Nuñez, 2B

Keys to Watch in Sunday's Game

Carroll Sets the Tone at the Top

Corbin Carroll leading off is Arizona's engine. When Carroll is on base and moving, the entire offense operates at a different level. His ability to get on against Mikolas early — who will be working quickly — could dictate the flow of the whole game.

Marte in the Middle of the Order

Ketel Marte batting fourth is exactly where you want your most consistent run producer. Washington's pitching staff will need to navigate him carefully, and any mistake in the zone could be a costly one for the Nationals.

Arenado's Veteran Presence

Nolan Arenado slotting into the six-hole adds a layer of danger that opposing pitchers cannot ignore. His presence lengthens this lineup considerably and keeps Washington's bullpen from finding an easy escape route late in the game.

Drake's Command Under Pressure

The Nationals' young talent — Wood, Abrams, Crews — is genuinely capable of stringing together big innings. Drake needs to pitch with conviction and keep the ball out of the heart of the zone against hitters with this kind of upside.

Prediction

This is a winnable road game for Arizona. The Diamondbacks have the lineup depth to solve Mikolas, and if Drake keeps Washington's young bats in check through five or six innings, the D-backs' offense should find enough opportunities to pull this one out. Look for Carroll and Marte to be the difference-makers. Arizona 5, Washington 3.

Catch the game on DBACKS.TV or listen live on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM.