The Arizona Diamondbacks head to Nationals Park on Sunday, July 26, for a 1:35 PM ET matinee against the Washington Nationals. Kohl Drake gets the start for Arizona against right-hander Miles Mikolas in a road matchup that carries real regular-season weight as the D-backs look to build momentum deep into the summer. Catch the action on DBACKS.TV or listen on Arizona Sports 98.7 FM.
Probable Starters: Kohl Drake vs. Miles Mikolas
Drake gets the nod for Arizona in what amounts to a meaningful audition every time he takes the mound at this stage of the season. The D-backs organization has watched Drake develop, and outings like this one — on the road, against a major-league lineup — are exactly the kind of tests that define a pitcher's role going forward. Without updated ERA or win-loss data available, the focus shifts to execution: can Drake command his pitches, limit traffic on the bases, and give Arizona a chance to win?
On the other side, Miles Mikolas is a veteran presence Washington can lean on. Mikolas has built a career on strike-throwing and contact management, and he is not the kind of starter who beats himself. The D-backs will need to be disciplined at the plate, work counts, and look for pitches to drive in hitter-friendly counts. Letting Mikolas get into a comfortable rhythm early would be a mistake.
Keys to Watch for Arizona
- Drake's command: Road starts carry their own pressure. If Drake can establish both sides of the plate early, he gives the D-backs a legitimate shot at keeping this game manageable deep into the middle innings.
- Plate discipline against Mikolas: Mikolas lives on early contact and weak grounders. Arizona's lineup needs to stay patient, elevate pitch counts, and create opportunities rather than rolling over in three-pitch at-bats.
- Bullpen depth: Depending on Drake's pitch count and effectiveness, Arizona's relief corps could see significant action in a Sunday afternoon game. How the back end of the bullpen performs may ultimately decide this one.
- Road focus: Nationals Park is a road environment, and Washington will have crowd support. The D-backs need to stay composed and play their brand of baseball regardless of the atmosphere.
Prediction
This is the kind of game that comes down to starting pitching and execution in the middle innings. Mikolas is experienced enough to keep Arizona's lineup honest, and Drake will need to match that steadiness on the other side. The D-backs have the talent to win this one, but they'll have to earn it. Expect a tight, low-scoring affair that hinges on who controls the strike zone longer. Arizona edges out a 4-3 road win if Drake can give them five or six solid innings and the bullpen slams the door.
