The set-up:The Philadelphia Phillies last produced a winning season back in 2011 and over the previous five years, have averaged just 69.2 wins per season. However, here in 2018, the Phillies have raced off to a 14-7 mark, including the team's best home start since 1964 in going 9-1. Not to be outdone, the Arizona Diamondbacks' 15-6 mark matches their best 21-game start in franchise history. Winners of four in a row and 13 of 16 overall, the Phillies go for their eighth straight win at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday when they play the opener of a three-game set against the Diamondbacks. Philadelphia recorded its first four-game sweep of Pennsylvania rival Pittsburgh since 1994 when the Phillies outlasted the Pirates 3-2 (11 inn.) on Sunday. Once again, not to be outdone, the Diamondbacks became the first National League team since San Francisco (2003) to win their first seven series of a season with Sunday's 4-2 home victory over the Padres.

The pitching matchup: Arizona will send lefty Robbie Ray (2-0, 4.98 ERA) to the mound, while Philadelphia will counter with Vince Velasquez (1-2, 3.80 ERA). Ray is coming off his second straight no-decision on Wednesday, despite allowing just two runs and striking out nine in six innings versus San Francisco (D'backs lost 4-3 in 10 innings). Ray has been reached for five HRs and has walked 14 in 21 2/3 innings through four starts (Arizona is 3-1)..He owns a 2-1 mark and 4.56 ERA in four career outings versus Philadelphia. Velasquez opened 2018 by allowing seven runs (four earned) in just 2 2/3 innings of a 15-2 loss in Atlanta on March 31. However. he has responded with three straight quality starts, although his last outing resulted in a 7-3 loss at Atlanta (again!) on Wednesday. Note that he only allowed three runs on seven hits in six innings in that one. He has thrown six or more innings in each of his last three starts, after lasting that long only five times over the entire 2017 season (starts). Velasquez has not allowed an earned run and has 11 strikeouts in 8 2/3 innings over three career appearances (just one start) against Arizona.

The pick: It should not be ignored that Arizona has enjoyed success in Philadelphia, winning seven straight contests by a combined score of 37-14. However, let's also not ignore that this year's Philly team is a "horse of a different color!" Philadelphia starting pitchers have permitted three runs or fewer in each of their last 12 outings, with Velasquez accounting for three of them. Lastly, there is the Phillies' 9-1 home record here in 2018, where they've outscored the opposition by an average of 6.20-to-2.10 RPG. Make Philly a 10* play.