Diamondbacks vs Reds Preview: Pitching Meets Power

You're watching two teams that need a win badly. The Diamondbacks come in cold. They just lost three straight games and sit at 34-34 overall. Their pitching staff is solid, though, with Eduardo Rodriguez taking the mound Friday. Rodriguez has a 3.24 ERA this season. The Reds are 32-35 and lost their last game. Nick Lodolo pitches for Cincinnati but has struggled badly with a 7.2 ERA. Both teams know one good win here could shift their season around. This matchup matters more than the records suggest.

Great news for Arizona fans. Jordan Lawlar is coming back from injury on Friday. The shortstop broke his wrist back in April and has been rehabbing since late May. He went 6-for-28 in eight rehab games with two RBIs. His return gives the Diamondbacks a jolt of speed and defense at shortstop. Carlos Santana is also working his way back from a thigh injury. The Diamondbacks' offense needs these guys healthy if they want to climb back into the race. Fresh legs make a real difference down the stretch of any season.

The Reds' pitching staff is not the team's strength this year. Hunter Greene had elbow surgery and won't play until after the All-Star break. That puts more pressure on Nick Lodolo and Andrew Abbott. The Reds are counting on their young, exciting offense to keep them in games while the pitching develops. Jose Trevino is coming back from a hamstring injury Friday to catch. He's a skilled hitter and defensive player who will help Cincinnati's lineup right away. The Reds' game plan is simple: score enough runs so the pitching just needs to be good enough.