Can Brandon Pfaadt End the Skid for Diamondbacks?

The Arizona Diamondbacks will have one final chance to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Atlanta Braves on Sunday, after losing games one and two in disappointing, sloppy fashion. First pitch is scheduled for 1:10 p.m.

The D-backs have lost four straight games, and three straight series. They've suffered poor offensive games, multiple bullpen meltdowns, and general offensive inconsistencies. They're now a mere 14-13, and will look to stay above .500 and try to gain a semblance of traction.

Pitching Matchup

RHP Brandon Pfaadt (2.73 ERA) vs RHP Spencer Schwellenbach (2.56 ERA)

Pfaadt has delivered three straight starts allowing one or fewer earned runs. He's completed the sixth inning in four out of his five outings. Once again, he appears to be a consistent workhorse for Arizona, and has been able to keep runs off the board at an efficient clip.

However, Pfaadt has punched out only 23 over 29.2 innings, and his FIP is 4.38, much higher than his raw ERA. This doesn't mean he hasn't been pitching well, but it is something to note. His batted ball luck has been more in his favor this season, but he's also showcased much better command and location, and has been much better at limiting hard contact.

He will need to do so on Sunday to give the D-backs a chance against a hot-hitting Braves lineup.

For Atlanta, it'll be right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach. Schwellenbach has been outstanding thus far in 2025, pitching to a 2.56 ERA and 3.13 FIP, while striking out 27 and walking only five in 31.2 innings.

He throws a deep mix of pitches, with a decent balance amongst secondaries, but his main pitch is a four-seam fastball that reaches into the 97 MPH region of the radar gun. He also throws a slider, splitter, sinker curveball and cutter, all at relatively even rates.

Schwellenbach doesn't walk many, can induce plenty of ground balls, and forces his opponents to chase outside the zone at a high clip (33.3%). The D-backs' offense has been an inconsistent blend of free swinging and overly patient, and they'll need a more holistic approach to Schwellenbach on Sunday.

Lineup