The Arizona Diamondbacks hit the road on Saturday, June 27, heading to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg for a 6:10 PM ET clash with the Tampa Bay Rays. Jose Cabrera gets the ball for Arizona against Tampa Bay's Cole Sulser in what shapes up as a pitching matchup between two arms working to carve out their roles. With Ketel Marte leading off and the heart of the D-backs order loaded with Corbin Carroll, Gabriel Moreno, and a freshly acquired Nolan Arenado at third, Arizona's lineup has real teeth. This one matters — every game in late June is a statement opportunity.

Probable Pitchers: Jose Cabrera vs. Cole Sulser

Cabrera draws the assignment for Arizona. The right-hander will need to command the strike zone early against a Rays lineup that has enough on-base ability to make life miserable for a pitcher who falls behind in counts. Yandy Díaz leads off for Tampa Bay — a disciplined, dangerous hitter who punishes mistakes — and Junior Caminero batting third brings legitimate power to the middle of that order. Cabrera cannot afford to pitch around trouble and let Tampa Bay's lineup string together walks.

Sulser takes the hill for the Rays. Arizona's lineup will look to work counts and get into the Tampa Bay bullpen as quickly as possible. If Cabrera can keep the game competitive through five or six innings, the D-backs' offensive depth should give manager Torey Lovullo's club the edge in the later frames.

Arizona Diamondbacks Lineup and Keys to Watch

• Ketel Marte (2B, leadoff): Marte sets the table. His ability to get on base and create chaos on the basepaths is the engine that makes this offense run. A strong performance from him raises Arizona's ceiling considerably.
• Corbin Carroll (RF, 3-hole): Carroll in the three-spot is exactly where he belongs. The D-backs need him attacking early in counts and using his speed to manufacture runs when hits don't come in bunches.
• Nolan Arenado (3B, 6th): Arenado batting sixth gives this lineup a punishing bottom-of-the-order threat. His presence forces pitchers to stay honest all the way through the lineup card.
• Adrian Del Castillo (DH, 5th): Del Castillo slots in at DH and will need to come through in run-scoring situations. This is a spot where Arizona can create separation if he delivers with runners on base.
• Tommy Troy (CF, 9th): The young center fielder batting ninth is something to watch. Troy getting on base ahead of Marte could open up big first-inning opportunities for Arizona.

Tampa Bay Rays Lineup Threats

Don't sleep on the Rays. Caminero at third is a legitimate power bat, and Chandler Simpson in left and Cedric Mullins in center give Tampa Bay speed on the bases. Cabrera will need to keep the ball in the yard — Tropicana Field's dimensions can play quirky, and any mistake pitch to the middle of this order could turn into extra bases quickly.

Prediction

Arizona has the lineup advantage on paper, and if Cabrera delivers a quality start — say, five-plus innings with three or fewer earned runs — the D-backs have more than enough firepower to close this one out. Marte and Carroll are the keys. When those two are clicking, this offense is difficult to contain. Expect a competitive game that comes down to the sixth or seventh inning, with Arizona pulling through. D-backs 5, Rays 3.

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