Diamondbacks vs Reds Preview: Gallen vs Abbott Lights Up Week 64

Zac Gallen is your guy on the hill for the Diamondbacks. The right-hander is a rock-solid starter who Arizona leans on to keep games close. Right now, Gallen's numbers look rough with a 7.91 ERA. But here's the thing—strong pitchers have tough stretches. Arizona needs him locked in today. The Reds just beat the D-backs 2-1 yesterday, and Gallen wants payback. If he can find his control early, Arizona has a real shot at stealing this game on the road.

Andrew Abbott is Cincinnati's guy pitching today. The 25-year-old made his first All-Star team this year—that's huge! Abbott's numbers look sharp: a 1.5 ERA with ten strikeouts. The Reds lost their last two games and need a win badly. Abbott's the kind of pitcher who can dominate when his team needs him most. With Hunter Greene still healing up from elbow surgery, Abbott has to keep Cincinnati's rotation moving forward. Today he faces an Arizona team hungry to bounce back.

The Reds beat Arizona 2-1 yesterday—a close one where Luis Marte smacked a go-ahead homer in the eighth. Arizona won the day before 5-2, so these teams are trading punches. Arizona sits at 35-34, just barely over .500. Cincinnati is 32-36 and struggling hard with only two wins in their last ten games. This is a must-win for the Reds at home. Arizona's hungry to take the series. Great American Ball Park will be loud today. One team walks away with momentum.

Think about what you learned. Gallen's struggling with his ERA, but Abbott is playing at an All-Star level. Write about how each pitcher could change the outcome. What might happen if Gallen finds his control? What if Abbott strikes out lots of Diamondbacks hitters? Which pitcher do you think will have the bigger impact today and why?