Set in the City of Brotherly Love, we’re anticipating a thrilling afternoon MLB face-off, with the mercury reading near 80 degrees in Philadelphia and a light wind blowing from the left foul pole to the right. The Philadelphia Phillies host the Arizona Diamondbacks, with Zac Gallen and Ranger Suarez as the starters. The total for the game is set at 8.5.

The Diamondbacks, as the slight favorite at a -111 price point at FanDuel Sportsbook, stand a good chance, especially given Gallen’s strong track record. On the other hand, Suarez, despite an impressive season for the Phillies last year, has had a rocky start this year. 

Gallen, known for his excellence on the mound, is due for a bounce-back performance in this game. He should be able to exploit the Phillies’ tendency to strike out frequently, particularly against right-handed pitchers. Against a pitcher of Gallen’s caliber, the Phillies’ hitting approach, which often seems to be all-or-nothing, could prove to be a significant disadvantage.

Suarez, too, might play a crucial role in limiting the damage from the D-backs’ lineup. Despite not striking out a lot, Arizona isn’t expected to score many runs in this game, given Suarez’s capabilities.

The key to victory for Philly will be their ability to make contact and put the ball in play rather than swinging for the fences. This game has all the elements of being a low-scoring affair, similar to what we’ve witnessed so far in this series.

As it stands, the Diamondbacks seem to hold the edge, and the under looks like the play here.