The Arizona Diamondbacks host the Cincinnati Reds at Chase Field on Sunday, August 23, with first pitch scheduled for 4:15 PM ET. Mitch Bratt takes the ball for Arizona against Reds left-hander Andrew Abbott in what shapes up as a pitching-focused afternoon in the desert. With the regular season in its final stretch, every game carries weight, and the D-backs will look to protect home turf in front of their Chase Field crowd. Catch the action on Peacock/NBCSN or listen locally on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM.

Pitching Matchup: Mitch Bratt vs. Andrew Abbott

Mitch Bratt gets the starting nod for Arizona. The young left-hander has been working his way through big league lineups, and a home start gives him a familiar environment to build on. Details on his current season line were not available heading into Sunday, so what he does with the ball will speak for itself.

Andrew Abbott toes the rubber for Cincinnati. The southpaw has shown the ability to miss bats at the major league level, and he figures to give Arizona's lineup a genuine test. Left-on-left matchups will be worth monitoring throughout the afternoon depending on how each team's lineup is constructed.

Arizona Diamondbacks Starting Lineup

• 1. Ildemaro Vargas — 2B
• 2. Corbin Carroll — RF
• 3. Gabriel Moreno — DH
• 4. Geraldo Perdomo — SS
• 5. Nolan Arenado — 3B
• 6. Tim Tawa — 1B
• 7. Jordan Lawlar — CF
• 8. James McCann — C
• 9. Ryan Waldschmidt — LF

Keys to Watch

Corbin Carroll in the Two Hole

Carroll slotting into the second spot puts him in a high-opportunity position early and often. How he handles Abbott's stuff from the left side will set a tone for what kind of afternoon the Arizona offense can put together.

Nolan Arenado Anchoring the Middle of the Order

Arenado at fifth in the lineup gives Arizona a proven veteran presence in the heart of the order. His ability to drive in runners that Moreno and Perdomo put on base ahead of him is a significant factor in how productive this lineup can be on any given day.

Jordan Lawlar's Development Continues

Lawlar in center field and batting seventh is a snapshot of where his development stands right now. Every plate appearance is a data point, and Sunday gives him another chance to show what he can do against a quality opposing starter.

Bratt's Command and Pitch Mix

Against a Cincinnati lineup with the ability to make contact and work counts, Bratt's ability to establish his fastball and mix his secondary offerings will be the central storyline on the pitching side. Chase Field's dimensions can be forgiving or punishing depending on how well a starter keeps the ball in the yard.

Prediction

This one comes down to which young starter handles the moment better. Bratt at home carries an edge in familiarity, and Arizona's lineup has enough veteran presence with Arenado in the fold to generate runs against a left-hander. The D-backs take this one in a competitive, low-scoring afternoon at Chase Field.