Table of Contents
The Arizona Diamondbacks (78-77) host the Philadelphia Phillies (92-63) in Sunday’s 4:10 p.m. series finale at Chase Field, with Arizona surprisingly favored at -113 despite facing a clearly superior team. For D-backs fans, this represents exactly the type of game that could help salvage some respectability from what’s been a frustrating .500 season.
Game Information
Date: Sunday, September 21, 2025
Time: 4:10 p.m. ET / 1:10 p.m. local
Location: Chase Field, Phoenix
TV Coverage: Arizona Sports (ARID), NBC Sports Philadelphia
Betting Lines: Diamondbacks -113, Phillies -106
Run Total: 9 runs
Spread: Phillies -1.5 (+150)
Pitching Matchup: Rodriguez vs Suarez
Eduardo Rodriguez Gets Another Chance
Eduardo Rodriguez takes the ball for his 28th start with an 8-8 record and concerning 5.12 ERA. His 132 strikeouts in 142⅓ innings show he can still miss bats, but consistency has been an issue throughout the season.
For Rodriguez, this represents an opportunity to show he can step up against playoff-caliber competition when the team needs it most.
Ranger Suarez Brings Proven Track Record
The Phillies counter with Ranger Suarez, who enters with a solid 12-6 record in his 25th start. As a key piece of Philadelphia’s playoff push, Suarez brings the kind of reliability that’s helped the Phillies secure their strong record.
The matchup clearly favors Philadelphia on paper, making Arizona’s slight favorite status somewhat puzzling.
Diamondbacks Offense: Desert Power at Home
Corbin Carroll Leading the Charge
Corbin Carroll continues to pace Arizona with 30 home runs while driving in 79 runs and slugging .540. Playing at Chase Field typically brings out his best, and the D-backs will need his dynamic playmaking to compete with Philadelphia’s deep lineup.
Balanced Supporting Cast
Geraldo Perdomo leads the team with 97 RBIs while batting .289, providing consistent production. Ketel Marte contributes 127 hits with a .504 slugging percentage, while Gabriel Moreno adds contact hitting at .285.
This Diamondbacks offense ranks 4th in baseball with 764 runs scored (4.9 per game) and 8th with 206 home runs, showing they can compete offensively with anyone when clicking.
Phillies’ Playoff-Caliber Lineup
Kyle Schwarber’s Elite Production
Kyle Schwarber leads Philadelphia with 53 home runs and 129 RBIs – elite numbers that put him among baseball’s premier power hitters. His ability to change games with one swing makes him particularly dangerous in Chase Field’s hitter-friendly environment.
Star-Studded Supporting Cast
Bryce Harper (.263, 27 HRs) provides veteran leadership and clutch hitting, while Bryson Stott and Nick Castellanos add consistent production throughout the lineup. This Phillies offense ranks 7th in baseball with 754 runs and 3rd with a .260 team batting average.
Philadelphia’s contact approach (8.1 strikeouts per game) should be effective against a Diamondbacks pitching staff that ranks just 22nd in strikeouts per nine innings.
The Pitching Staff Reality
Phillies Hold Significant Edge
Philadelphia’s pitching advantage is substantial. Their 3.85 ERA ranks 8th in baseball, while their 9.2 strikeouts per nine innings rank 3rd. This depth and quality have been crucial to their 92-63 record.
Arizona’s Ongoing Struggles
The Diamondbacks’ 4.45 ERA ranks 23rd in baseball, highlighting why they’ve remained stuck around .500 despite their offensive firepower. Their inability to consistently get outs has cost them repeatedly.
Key Injuries Impact
Diamondbacks: Long-term losses like Corbin Burnes and A.J. Puk have significantly weakened their pitching depth throughout the season.
Phillies: Trea Turner (hamstring) remains on the 10-day IL, while Zack Wheeler’s absence on the 60-day IL impacts their rotation depth.
Betting Analysis
Arizona has been mediocre as favorites, going 46-43 (51.7%) when favored this season. Philadelphia has performed well as underdogs in limited opportunities, winning 16 of 33 games (48.5%).
The 9-run total reflects both teams’ offensive capabilities, with Arizona going over 74 times and Philadelphia going over 68 times this season.
What This Game Means
For Diamondbacks fans, this represents more than just one game. With the team sitting at .500, every victory matters in terms of finishing above that mark and building momentum for next season. Beating a playoff team like Philadelphia would provide genuine satisfaction.
Game Prediction
Final Score: Phillies 7, Diamondbacks 5
Total: Over 9 runs
While I’d love to see the D-backs pull off the upset at home, Philadelphia’s pitching depth and playoff experience should prove decisive. However, this projects as a high-scoring affair with both offenses capable of putting up big numbers.
Arizona’s home field advantage and desperate need for meaningful wins will keep this competitive, but the Phillies’ superior rotation and bullpen should control the late innings. Rodriguez’s struggles this season make it difficult to trust him against this caliber of lineup.
Chase Field should provide plenty of entertainment with both teams capable of explosive innings, but Philadelphia’s overall talent edge should show up over nine innings in what could be a frustrating loss for the home crowd.
But anyway, go D-backs!
