Arizona @ Philadelphia preview
Citizens Bank Park
Last Meeting ( Aug 4, 2012 ) Arizona 0, Philadelphia 3
The Philadelphia Phillies' aces have returned to form recently, and left-hander Cliff Lee will try to continue that trend in the rubber game of a three-game set with the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday. Arizona was shut out for only the sixth time this season Saturday, with Roy Halladay combining with two relievers on a three-hitter to snap Arizona's four-game win streak and drop the Diamondbacks three games behind National League West leader San Francisco.
It was the second shutout in five days for the Phillies as Lee tossed seven scoreless innings to help blank Washington on Tuesday. Trade rumors continued swirling around Lee this week, as the Phillies placed him on waivers and reports suggested the Dodgers put in a claim, but Phillies GM Ruben Amaro Jr. told reporters Lee is staying put. The Diamondbacks, who have won 11 of 15, are trying to avoid their first series loss since being swept in a three-game set at Wrigley Field from July 13-15.
TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, FS Arizona, PHL 17 (Philadelphia)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Trevor Cahill (9-9, 3.75 ERA) vs. Phillies LH Cliff Lee (2-6, 3.73)
Cahill is looking for consecutive victories for the first time since winning four straight starts from June 3-20. He beat the Dodgers on Monday, allowing one run on six hits over six innings. Cahill is 1-1 with a 3.46 ERA in two starts against the Phillies, including a loss April 25 in Arizona in which he allowed four runs over 5 1/3 innings.
Lee's win over the Nationals his last time out was his first victory since July 4, but he has won two of his last five starts after going winless in his first 13. He allowed five hits and struck out seven over his seven scoreless innings. Lee is 3-1 with a 3.21 ERA in four starts against Arizona.
WALK-OFFS
1. The Phillies' active roster is a combined 7-for-53 (.132) against Cahill. Only Juan Pierre (5-for-21), Chase Utley (1-for-3) and Laynce Nix (1-for-2) have recorded hits against him.
2. The Diamondbacks have scored 17 of their 23 runs on their current road trip on home runs.
3. Cahill has factored in the decision in each of his last 12 starts, going 7-5 during that stretch.