Philadelphia Phillies vs. Arizona Diamondbacks Preview and Pick

The Philadelphia Phillies take on the Arizona Diamondbacks in the middle game of a 3-game set Tuesday night at Bank One Ballpark in the desert.

Philadelphia won the opener of this series Monday night 4-3, coming back from a 3-0 deficit against Arizona ace Brandon Webb.

The Phillies have won three of their last four games and occupy 2nd place in the NL East, 4 ˝ games back of the division-leading Mets.

Monday’s loss broke a four-game D-Backs winning streak. Arizona sits atop the NL West, 2 ˝ games ahead of the 2nd-place Dodgers.

Philadelphia is 14-11 on the road this season, but just 5-10 as underdogs.

Arizona is 17-10 at home this season, 13-10 as favorites.

Philly won the season series with the Diamondbacks last year 4 games to 3, with the over/under going 5-2.

Phillies rookie left-hander Hamels (0-0, 3.18) is making his first start since coming off the DL with a shoulder strain. Hamels has allowed 4 ER and 15 H+W in 11 1/3 IP this season. Philadelphia is 1-1 in Hamels’ starts this year, the o/u 1-0. Hamels has not started a game vs. Arizona.

D-Backs starter Juan Cruz (3-3, 4.05) got bombed for 9 ER in less than an inning in a start vs. San Diego three weeks ago. But since then, Cruz has given up just 2 ER and 17 H+W in 19 IP.

Arizona is 3-4 in games started by Cruz this season, and six of the seven games have stayed under the totals.

Cruz has never started a game vs. Philadelphia.

Philadelphia owns a .335 team OBP, 7th-best in the NL, and averages 4.9 runs per game.

Arizona owns a .344 team OBP, 4th-best in the league, and averages 5.4 RPG.

The Philly bullpen has given up 4 ER and 21 H+W in its last 17 1/3 IP.

The Arizona bullpen has allowed 4 ER and 17 H+W in its last 12 2/3 IP.

The o/u is 30-26 in Phillies games this season, 27-27 in D-Backs games, and 14-11 at Bank One Ballpark.

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