Everything is fine once again in the Philadelphia Phillies’ world.

The series win over the Los Angeles Dodgers was massive for the team’s confidence and now everything seems to be back on track ahead of the four-game weekend set with the Arizona Diamondbacks.

The sportsbooks obviously think the Phillies are in better shape because they’re a slight series favorite at -120.

The Phillies have the better record, but you could make the case for the DBacks to be favored in the series because of how hot their bats have been.

Arizona is 8-1 in its last nine games and coming off a road series sweep of the Cleveland Guardians in which they scored 19 and at least five runs in all three contests. The DBacks have scored at least four runs in each of their last eight victories.


The Phillies may get themselves into a slug fest in the series opener because of the pitching matchup. Kolby Allard is slated to face Jordan Montgomery, but the Phils may be inclined to use an opener since the DBacks, especially Ketel Marte, kill left-handed pitching.

Montgomery comes into Thursday with a 6.37 ERA, but he’s only allowed a single earned run in two of his last three starts, so maybe he’s starting to figure things out.

The DBacks have been waiting to get healthy in their rotation. Eduardo Rodriguez started for the first time this week and Merrill Kelly is out on a rehab assignment.

The Phillies have the pitching edge for the rest of the series, which is why the series line is probably in their favor. Zack Wheeler will be a significant favorite against Ryne Nelson on Friday, Saturday’s Aaron Nola-Zac Gallen duel has low-scoring game written all over it and Cristopher Sanchez is slated to start on Sunday.

Thursday and Friday could be the best night for player props from a Phillies perspective. Kyle Schwarber is red hot and Alec Bohm has been an extra-base hit machine all season. Both have hit lefties well and that makes both of them strong targets against Montgomery on Thursday.

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As for the DBacks props, Ketel Marte is playing at an MVP level and owns an ungodly 1.129 OPS against left-handed pitching. He should be targeted against Allard and Sanchez for total bases and home runs.

The DBacks don’t have Christian Walker right now due to an injury, but Josh Bell has stepped in and played really well. He has three multi-homer games in the last week. Bell had a hit in five of his seven games against the Phillies this season with the Miami Marlins.

Bets aside, this should be a strong test for the Phils and their World Series hopes, maybe moreso than against the Dodgers, just because Arizona is one of the hottest teams in the majors right now.