A battle of division leaders and 2007 playoff teams headlines Tuesday night's baseball action as the streaking Philadelphia Phillies visit Arizona, with the Diamondbacks -148 money line betting favorites (over/under: 10 runs) on WagerWeb.com.
The Phillies will look to make it five wins in six games, 12 of 16 and two straight in Arizona on Tuesday against the Diamondbacks, who are trying to avoid losing three straight for the first time this season.
Randy Johnson (1-1, 4.79 ERA) takes the mound for Arizona. The Big Unit is coming off his worst start of the season. He allowed six runs in four innings to the Astros on Wednesday. He did have one of his better
starts of last season against the Phillies in Philadelphia, throwing six scoreless innings and allowing just one hit while striking out six. He's 8-1 with a 2.07 ERA against the Phillies in his Diamondbacks career.
Philadelphia right fielder Pat Burrell, who's hitting .315 with nine homers and a team-high 30 RBIs, is 4-for-19 (.211) with 12 strikeouts against Johnson.
He will be opposed by Philly's Adam Eaton (0-0, 4.72 ERA), who has yet to earn a decision in six starts. Four of the six were "quality" starts (six or more innings and three or fewer runs). He faced Arizona once last season, taking the loss in a game in which he threw seven innings and allowed three runs.
The right-hander allowed two runs and five hits over six innings in a 3-2 win over San Diego on Thursday, when he retired 12 of the last 13 batters he faced. He's trying to avoid becoming the first pitcher in 21 years to not receive a decision in his first seven starts.The Phillies' pitchers have been consistent lately, as they haven't yielded more than five runs in their last 12 games.
Second baseman Chase Utley, who leads the majors with 13 home runs, continued his impressive start with two of Philadelphia's 17 hits in Monday's win, also a season high. Utley upped his average to .362, fourth-best in baseball.
Utley hasn't fared very well in 11 career games in Arizona, however, where he's hitting just .220.
Philly is unlikely to have reigning NL MVP Jimmy Rollins, currently on the 15-day DL, in this series. Recovering from a sprained left ankle, Rollins went 4 for 4 with three doubles and two RBIs in four innings of an extended spring-training game Monday in Clearwater, Fla.
Ruben Amaro Jr., the Phillies' assistant general manager, said he was not sure whether Rollins would play in a minor-league game before he rejoins the team, which could happen Thursday or Friday.
Meanwhile, Arizona pitcher Doug Davis threw 65 pitches in a simulated game Monday. He hopes he can return to the Diamondbacks rotation for the May 20-22 series at Florida.
Davis, making a quick recovery after surgery for thyroid cancer, is scheduled for a CT scan Thursday. He said his medication dosage seems right, and he felt good in his stint Monday.
Betting trends: Over is 6-2 in Phillies' last 8 road games. ... Phils are 19-7 in their last 26 Tuesday games. ... Over is 8-3 in Phils' last 11 games following a win. ... D'backs are 23-10 in their last 33 home games. ... Over is 9-4-2 in Arizona's last 15 home games. ... Diamondbacks are 20-9 in their last 29 games on grass. ... D'backs are 9-2 in Johnson's last 11 starts vs. PHI. ... Phils are 10-4 in the last 14 meetings in Arizona.
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