Phillies at Diamondbacks, 6:40 p.m., Cox, Ch. 34, KPNX, Ch. 12
Diamondbacks RHP Ryne Nelson (7-3, 3.34) vs. Phillies RHP Taijuan Walker (5-8, 4.17).
At Chase Field: Nelson threw six scoreless innings against the Twins over the weekend in Minnesota, taking yet another no-decision after the bullpen coughed up a late lead. Nelson has a 3.61 ERA in his past eight starts but has gone just 1-0 in that stretch. … Nelson has dominated left-handed hitters this season, holding them to a .185 average and .558 OPS. Righties (.234, .712) have had more success against him. … Nelson has a 4.15 ERA in three career starts against the Phillies. He last faced them in a start last season, giving up just two runs in 7 1/3 innings. … Walker spent three seasons with the Diamondbacks (2017-19), though he was fully healthy for only one of those years. The club non-tendered him after the 2019 season. … He has worked as a swingman for the Phillies this season, logging 116 2/3 innings in 20 starts and 11 relief appearances. … He has been in the rotation since July 8, pitching to a 4.62 ERA in 12 starts.
Coming up
Sept. 20: At Chase Field, 5:10 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Zac Gallen (12-14, 4.73) vs. Phillies RHP Aaron Nola (4-9, 6.44).
Sept. 21: At Chase Field, 1:10 p.m., Diamondbacks LHP Eduardo Rodriguez (8-8, 5.12) vs. Phillies LHP Ranger Suarez (12-6, 2.84).
Sept. 22: Off.
Sept. 23: At Chase Field, 6:40 p.m., Diamondbacks RHP Brandon Pfaadt (13-8, 5.02) vs. Dodgers RHP Shohei Ohtani (1-1, 3.29).
Earlier this week the Phillies clinched the National League East, the second year in a row they have won the division. Prior to last year, they had not won the division since winning it five years in a row from 2007-11. The Phillies have been without SS Trea Turner and 3B Alec Bohm, both of whom have been out with injuries. Bohm could be back in time for the series opener; he has been dealing with a shoulder issue. The Phillies lost RHP Zack Wheeler to a season-ending shoulder injury. DH Kyle Schwarber is having a career year, with 53 homers, 128 RBIs and a .937 OPS. It is well-timed for the impending free agent.