The Cincinnati Reds head to Phoenix for a Saturday night showdown at Chase Field, with first pitch scheduled for 8:10 PM ET. Rhett Lowder gets the ball for Cincinnati against Arizona's Michael Soroka in a regular season matchup that carries real implications for both clubs. The Reds are away from Great American Ball Park and will need to handle a Chase Field environment that has not always been kind to visiting pitching staffs. Every game in August matters, and this one is no different for a Reds team looking to make a statement on the road.

Pitching Matchup: Lowder vs. Soroka

Rhett Lowder draws the start for Cincinnati. The young right-hander has been one of the more intriguing arms in the Reds rotation, and a road start in a hitter-friendly environment like Chase Field will be a genuine test of his command and stuff. How he handles Arizona's lineup top to bottom will go a long way toward determining the outcome.

Michael Soroka takes the mound for the Diamondbacks. Soroka has had a career marked by stretches of genuine effectiveness interrupted by injury, and the Reds will need to do their homework against a pitcher who can work through lineups efficiently when he is on his game.

Arizona Diamondbacks Lineup to Watch

The Diamondbacks are sending out a lineup with some recognizable names and at least one significant addition. Here is how Arizona lines up for Saturday night:

• Lars Nootbaar — LF
• Corbin Carroll — RF
• Gabriel Moreno — C
• Geraldo Perdomo — SS
• Nolan Arenado — DH
• Tim Tawa — 1B
• Ildemaro Vargas — 2B
• Jose Fernandez — 3B
• Ryan Waldschmidt — CF

Corbin Carroll is the name Reds fans will circle at the top of that order. The speedy outfielder creates problems in multiple ways and can change the complexion of an inning on his own. Nolan Arenado slotting in at DH gives Arizona legitimate middle-of-the-order thump even without a position in the field. Lowder will need to work carefully there and avoid putting traffic on base ahead of that bat. Gabriel Moreno is a catcher who can hurt you, and Geraldo Perdomo has shown the ability to be a pest in the leadoff-area spots.

Keys to the Game for Cincinnati

• Lowder's command in the early innings will set the tone. Chase Field rewards mistakes, and getting behind hitters against this lineup is a fast track to trouble.
• The Reds lineup needs to solve Soroka early. Letting a pitcher settle in and find a rhythm makes a long night.
• Cincinnati's bullpen management will matter late, especially if the game is close heading into the sixth and seventh innings.

Prediction

This is a competitive matchup on paper. Lowder has the tools to keep the Reds in it, but Chase Field is unforgiving and Arizona has the lineup depth to capitalize on any slip in command. Expect a tight game through the middle innings. Cincinnati's ability to manufacture runs and play clean baseball on the road will be the difference. Give the Reds a narrow edge if Lowder can get through five innings efficiently — call it a 4-3 Cincinnati win in a game that comes down to the bullpen arms in the final three frames.

Catch the action on Reds.TV or tune in on WLW 700 AM.