The Philadelphia Phillies dropped another heartbreaker last night, but were again handed a reprieve from taking another step towards irrelevance as the other contending teams around them in the NL wild card race also faltered. As such, Philadelphia is still within five games of both the division lead and second wild card spot as they meet the Arizona Diamondbacks tonight.

Let’s check out tonight’s matchup with our Diamondbacks vs. Phillies pick and prediction.

Diamondbacks vs. Phillies Prediction (August 26, 2021)

If anything positive can be taken from a 4-10 run for the Phillies, it would have to be that they have navigated, however unsuccessfully, to the easier portion of their schedule for the season’s homestretch. The final nine of Philadelphia’s 11 opponents have losing records, with one of the two winning teams they will face being the Atlanta Braves, their direct competition for the National League East crown.

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Motivationally speaking, if the Phillies are going to make any kind of push for the postseason, one would think it needs to start tonight. They are at home, playing the Diamondbacks, the National League’s worst team and one of the worst road teams in baseball history. Philadelphia also plays tonight with major revenge factor following a sweep at the hands of the D-backs in Arizona last week that truly set the Phillies’ tailspin in motion.

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Diamondbacks vs. Phillies Odds

Let’s take a quick look at the current Diamondbacks vs. Phillies betting odds, courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook:

Team Odds Moneyline Total
Rays +1.5 (-165) +120 O 8.5 (-110)
Phillies -1.5 (+145) -140 U 8.5 (-110)

On top of it all, Philadelphia should get a boost from the return of RHP Zach Eflin, who will make his first start since July 16, after missing time with knee tendinitis. Eflin will likely be limited to 60 pitches or less, but the Phillies will have their full bullpen at their disposal after Zack Wheeler pitched into the ninth inning in last night’s loss <eye roll>.

Aside from the start that sent Eflin to the injured list, he has not allowed more than two runs in any game at home this season, boasting a 2.25ERA in those prior seven starts at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies went 5-2 in those games, a stark contrast to their 7-11 overall record in Eflin’s starts this season.

The right-hander has pitched well against Arizona in his career, posting a 3.20 ERA across three starts. Current Diamondbacks are just 8-for-60 (.133) lifetime against Eflin with Asdrubal Cabrera the only one to homer against him, despite his personal 2-for-20 (.100) mark.

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Eflin will be opposed by South Jersey product Zac Gallen, who is as snake-bitten (no diamondback pun intended) a starter that exists this season. Gallen’s 4.59 ERA deserves better than his 1-7 record and the 3-13 mark his team has in his starts.

In fact, Arizona has won just one of his last 13 starts and has not won a game he started on the road since April 25.

Philadelphia is 13-5 this season in the first game of a series following a loss, including 6-3 in that role at Citizens Bank Park.

Arizona, who defeated Pittsburgh yesterday, by contrast is just 5-8 in Game 1 of a series after a win this season, losing its last five in that role when on the road. The Diamondbacks are just 9-20 in the last 29 first games of series overall, as well.

Diamondbacks vs. Phillies Betting Prediction

Look for the Phillies to move to 7-2 in its last nine games after allowing five or more runs in their previous game, while Arizona dips to 17-38 in its last 55 games after scoring five or more previously.

Philadelphia absolutely must find a way to win and set a tone for the final month of the season against some very weak competition.

Our Pick: Philadelphia -152

 

 

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