The Phillies and Diamondbacks finish a weekday series on Thursday afternoon.
Philadelphia will hope that its former Cy Young candidate pitcher Aaron Nola can find his form on Thursday, but will have his hands full against an elite hitting team in the Diamondbacks, who have pushed to the top of the National League.
However, Philadelphia's offense should find success against Arizona starter Ryne Nelson, who has struggled in 2023. While Arizona has been elite at the plate, the pitching has been a question mark down the rotation. Can the Phils take advantage?
Here are the odds:
Phillies vs. Diamondbacks odds, run line and total
Phillies vs. Diamondbacks prediction and pick
Nola has struggled quite a bit this season. He has a 4.60 ERA and has seen his strikeout mark drop to the lowest since his rookie season (less than nine per nine innings). He has been crushed by hard contact this season, allowing 14 home runs in 88 innings and is struggling to avoid walks.
This is all going to be an issue against a Diamondbacks team that is dangerous at the plate. The team is one of three that has a strikeout percentage below 20% and is hitting .264 as a team. The team also checks in top 10 in wRC+, which quantifies the quality of run scoring chances.
However, I believe the Phillies can keep up with the Diamondbacks due to Nelson's issues on the mound. The righty is striking out about five batters per nine innings and walks more than three batters per nine. He can't generate quick outs and puts himself in high leverage situations way too often. He has a 4.95 ERA on the season and has a bottom 10 bullpen in terms of ERA behind him.
I believe the Phillies can put up runs like its been the case all series, scoring 15 in one of the games in Arizona, but I can't trust Nola to get through his start unscathed.
Back both offenses in the series finale on Thursday.
Game odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.