The Arizona Diamondbacks welcome the Cincinnati Reds to Chase Field on Saturday, August 22, 2026, for a 8:10 PM ET first pitch. Michael Soroka gets the ball for Arizona against Cincinnati's Rhett Lowder in what shapes up as an intriguing pitching matchup under the Phoenix roof. With the regular season grinding toward its final stretch, every game in the standings carries weight, and the D-backs will look to take care of business in front of their home crowd.

Pitching Matchup: Michael Soroka vs. Rhett Lowder

Soroka draws the start for Arizona. The right-hander has had a winding career road to get here, and every outing at Chase Field represents an opportunity to build on whatever he has established this season. Soroka's ability to generate weak contact and work efficiently through lineups will be critical against a Cincinnati club that will be looking to do damage early.

Lowder gets the nod for the Reds. The young right-hander out of Wake Forest has shown flashes of being a legitimate building block in Cincinnati's rotation. He has the kind of command-oriented profile that can keep hitters off-balance, and the D-backs lineup will need to be disciplined and patient against him from the first pitch.

Arizona Diamondbacks Starting Lineup

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

Keys to Watch

Corbin Carroll and Lars Nootbaar Setting the Table

With Nootbaar leading off and Carroll hitting second, Arizona has two legitimate on-base threats at the top of the order. If those two can get on base consistently against Lowder, it puts pressure on the Reds defense and sets up the middle of the lineup for run-scoring opportunities early.

Nolan Arenado Protecting the Middle of the Order

Arenado slides into the five-hole as the designated hitter. His presence in the lineup gives the D-backs a proven run-producer in a spot where damage can be maximized. How Reds pitchers choose to navigate him will be one of the more interesting strategic threads of the evening.

Soroka's Pitch Efficiency

If Soroka can work deep into the game and keep Arizona's bullpen fresh, that is a win in itself. Limiting walks and avoiding big innings will be the formula for a quality outing at Chase Field.

Ryan Waldschmidt at the Bottom of the Order

Waldschmidt batting ninth in center field is someone to keep an eye on. Bottom-of-the-order contributors who get on base can do serious damage when the lineup turns over, and Waldschmidt will have chances to impact the game in spots that matter.

Prediction

This feels like a game that could be decided by three runs or fewer. Soroka needs to be sharp, and the D-backs lineup needs to make Lowder work from the first inning. Chase Field gives Arizona a home-field edge, and with Arenado in the middle of the order providing a legitimate threat, look for the D-backs to scratch out enough to take this one. Arizona wins, 4-2.

Coverage is available on DBACKS.TV and ESPN 620 AM locally, with Spanish-language coverage on La Campesina 101.9 FM and 860 AM.