Showdown in the Desert! Cincinnati Reds at Arizona Diamondbacks LIVE MLB Pregame Chatterbox| 8/22/25

Showdown in the Desert! Cincinnati Reds at Arizona Diamondbacks LIVE MLB Pregame Chatterbox| 8/22/25

Join Mike Hart and Ricky Logan t at 8:30 pm ET to preview tonight’s game.

Cincinnati Reds vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Game Preview – August 22, 2025
Tonight, the Cincinnati Reds (67-61) face the Arizona Diamondbacks (62-66) in a pivotal National League showdown at Chase Field, Phoenix, kicking off a three-game series at 9:40 p.m. ET. Both teams are vying for wild-card spots, making this matchup critical as the season nears its final stretch. The Reds, third in the NL Central, are coming off a 2-1 series win against the Angels, while the Diamondbacks, third in the NL West, edged the Guardians 3-2 in their last outing. With playoff hopes on the line, expect a high-intensity game under the Arizona lights.

Pitching Matchup: Zack Littell vs. Ryne Nelson
The Reds send Zack Littell (9-8, 3.52 ERA) to the mound for his 26th start. Acquired at the trade deadline from Tampa Bay, Littell has been solid, posting a 3.07 ERA in three starts for Cincinnati. His most recent outing against Milwaukee saw him allow one earned run over six innings, showcasing his ability to limit damage despite a propensity for giving up homers (27 this season, second-most in MLB). Littell’s 1.113 WHIP and .249 opponent batting average suggest he can keep games close, but Chase Field’s hitter-friendly confines could test him against Arizona’s potent lineup.
The Diamondbacks counter with Ryne Nelson (6-3, 3.58 ERA), making his 17th start. Nelson’s recent form has been shaky, with 15 hits and nine runs allowed over his last two starts (11.2 innings), contributing to Arizona losing his last four outings. Despite a strong 89th-percentile pitching run value, his 24th-percentile whiff rate and seventh-percentile average exit velocity make him vulnerable, especially to Reds speedster Elly De La Cruz, who thrives against four-seam fastballs. Nelson’s .215 opponent batting average offers hope, but he’ll need to sharpen up to contain Cincinnati’s offense.

Team Breakdown
The Reds’ pitching staff has been a strength, ranking second in MLB with a 2.93 ERA over the last 10 games, complemented by a 1.234 WHIP (ninth-best). Their offense, however, has struggled, posting the eighth-lowest OPS this month. Elly De La Cruz (19 HR, 76 RBI) remains a dynamic force, supported by TJ Friedl (.267, 10 HR) and Spencer Steer (.238, 15 HR). Cincinnati’s .392 slugging percentage (22nd) and 127 home runs (22nd) indicate they’ll need to capitalize on base-running and timely hits.Arizona’s offense is a powerhouse, ranking third in slugging (.439) and fifth in home runs (178). Geraldo Perdomo (.287, 81 RBI) and Corbin Carroll (27 HR, .556 SLG) lead the charge, with Ketel Marte’s .293 average adding consistency. However, their pitching lags, with a 4.55 team ERA (25th) and 1.334 WHIP (24th). The Diamondbacks’ bullpen, with a 4.02 ERA this month, could be a liability if Nelson exits early.