Philadelphia Phillies vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Prediction, Preview, and Odds – 8-31-2022
Philadelphia Phillies vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Prediction, Preview, and Odds – 8-31-2022

The Philadelphia Philles will close out a three-game set against the Arizona DIamondbacks on Wednesday night at Chase Field. Arizona will be going for the sweep after taking the first two games including a 12-3 triumph on Tuesday to hit as a +111 underdog. Philadelphia still holds the second NL Wild Card at 72-58, while the Diamondbacks improved to 61-67.

These teams met for a three-game set in Philadelphia back in early June, with the Phillies taking two of three.

 

Following a long winning streak to solidify their playoff position, the Phillies have fallen apart over the last three games, getting outscored 30-15 including back-to-back blowout defeats in Arizona. Only Brandon Marsh's three-run homer in the eighth prevented the shutout Tuesday, as the Phillies had four hits overall.

Aaron Nola had one of the worst outings of his career, allowing eight runs on 10 hits over four innings, striking out five. Marsh added a single for Philadelphia's only multi-hit game of the night.

Philadelphia is still up a decent amount on the money line while going 68-62 on the run line. Overs are 64-60-6 for the Phillies after the first two games at Arizona both went way over the betting total.

This is the sixth-highest scoring offense in baseball at 4.65 runs per game on a .736 OPS that is seventh-best. Philadelphia pitching is also solidly within the top 10 at a 3.77 ERA including a mark of 4.04 out of a shaky bullpen.

J.T. Realmuto has made his claim as the best catcher in baseball at 4.9 WAR, posting a .795 OPS with 14 homers, 17 steals and 66 driven in. Bryce Harper has been fantastic when healthy with a .984 OPS, 15 homers and 50 RBI across just 68 games.

Bailey Falter will make his 14th appearance and 10th start of the season, looking to follow up a win over the Pittsburgh Pirates last Friday when he allowed three runs on five hits and no walks over six innings, striking out six. The 25-year-old is still finding his footing in the Majors, having gone 2-3 with a 4.41 ERA over 51 total innings.

Outfielder Simon Muzziotti is out with a torn patellar tendon. The rotation is down Hans Crouse (biceps tendinitis), Zach Eflin (knee contusion), James McArthur (stress reaction in elbow) and Zack Wheeler (forearm tendinitis). Closer Seranth ony Dominguez is sidelined by triceps soreness, a huge blow as he's been dominant, with Damon Jones (shoulder impingement) and Corey Knebel (strained lat) also out.

  
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