Mets vs Diamondbacks Preview: Pitching Battles in Phoenix

The New York Mets travel to Chase Field Sunday to face the Arizona Diamondbacks in game three of their series. Arizona's pitching staff, led by starter Eduardo Rodriguez, kept things tight Saturday with a 2-1 victory. However, New York's lineup features superstar Juan Soto, whose patient hitting and power stroke make him a constant offensive threat. Despite sitting at 15-24 overall, the Mets know they can compete when their best hitters step up. Because the Mets struggled earlier this season, they need wins like this to build momentum. Huascar Brazoban takes the mound for New York, looking to bounce back from recent performances and give his team a chance to split the series before heading home.

Juan Soto anchors the Mets offense with his exceptional discipline and power. Known for rarely swinging at bad pitches, Soto consistently works counts in his favor and reaches base at an elite level. He can drive the ball to any part of the field, and he surprised everyone last season by stealing nearly forty bases. When Soto is locked in at the plate, opposing pitchers face an uphill battle, and his teammates get more scoring chances.

Arizona's speedster Corbin Carroll remains one of baseball's most exciting young talents. The Diamondbacks center fielder combines blazing speed with surprising power, turning routine hits into triples and creating chaos running the bases. Carroll has already earned multiple All-Star selections early in his career and continues producing twenty-plus home runs yearly. His athleticism and offensive spark make him a cornerstone of Arizona's lineup.

Both teams head into Sunday with key injuries affecting their lineups and pitching depth. The Mets placed several players on injured list, including outfielder Luis Robert Jr. and shortstop Ronny Mauricio, leaving gaps in their defense. Relief pitchers Justin Hagenman and Joey Gerber are also sidelined. Arizona faces similar challenges with first baseman Carlos Santana expected back soon and shortstop Jordan Lawlar out longer with a fracture. These absences force both teams to rely on backup players stepping up and role players contributing more. Despite the injuries piling up, Sunday's matchup remains competitive because both offenses still feature major league talent ready to perform when opportunity calls.

Pitching stability will determine which team walks away victorious Sunday. The Mets' rotation has experienced some turbulence this season, forcing them to develop consistency from their starter Huascar Brazoban. Arizona counters with Eduardo Rodriguez, an established veteran who provides experience and reliability on the mound. Both bullpens face questions about late-inning strength, particularly with closers replacing departed players. When pitchers throw strikes and miss bats, games stay tight and tension builds throughout each inning. The team whose relievers hold up best under pressure will likely claim this contest. Ultimately, strong pitching performances determine outcomes in competitive matchups like this one between division rivals fighting for playoff position.