Arrieta gets ball as Phillies begin series against first place Diamondbacks

Following their four game sweep of the Miami Marlins, the Philadelphia Phillies head on the road to face the first place Arizona Diamondbacks. The Phillies are looking to stay hot currently riding a five game win streak but are going to have a tough test on the road. One thing the Phillies have in their favor is that the Diamondbacks have been better on the road this season then at home but the Phillies have struggled this season playing outside of Citizens Bank Park.

In this series, the Phillies are going to have their hands full against this Diamondbacks rotation. In the opening game of the series, Zack Godley will get the ball for the Snakes. He’ll be followed by the Diamondbacks best two starters – Zack Grienke and Patrick Corbin – in the final two games of the series. 

On the mound for the Phillies, we will see Jake Arrieta, Nick Pivetta and Vince Velasquez. Arrieta has allowed just three runs in his lat two starts, which came against the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox, two of the league’s better teams. After struggling in July, Pivetta allowed just two runs across six innings in last Thursday’s win over the Marlins. Velasquez has also been hot as of late, winning two of his last three starts and only allowing two earned runs in those three starts.

This series should produce some good baseball as both teams are looking to hold on to their first place spots in their respective divisions. Arizona is currently tied with the Dodgers for first place in their division, and the Phillies currently have a game and a half game lead on the Atlanta Braves for first place in the National League East.

Pitching Matchups

Game 1: Jake Arrieta (9-6, 3.32 ERA, 3.96 FIP) vs. Zack Godley (12-6, 4.46 ERA, 3.92 FIP)

Game 2: Nick Pivetta (6-9, 4.75 ERA, 3.57 FIP) vs. Zack Greinke (12-6, 2.96 ERA, 3.43 FIP)

Game 3: Vince Velasquez (8-8, 3.80 ERA, 3.59 FIP) vs. Patrick Corbin (8-4, 3.31 ERA, 2.56 FIP)

Where to Watch/Listen

Game 1

TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia

Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP

Game 2

TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia

Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP

Game 3

TV: NBC Sports Philadelphia, MLB Network

Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP

Series Notes

• Jake Arrieta has more wins on the road this season (5) then he does at home (4.)

• On the year Zack Greinke is 5-2 at home with a 2.44 ERA.

• In his last 15 games Maikel Franco is batting .311 with 5 HR and 10 RBI.

• Arizona currently has a lower winning percentage at home this year (.517) then they do on the road (.581.)

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