The Coach's MLB Early Bird S-P-E-C-I-A-L
(MLB) Philadelphia vs. Arizona, 08/12/2015 11:40 AM, Score: 7 - 6
Money Line: -157.00 Arizona (Home)
Result: Loss
The Philadelphia Phillies finished July as one of the hottest team in baseball but they've been more like their usual selves since. The Arizona Diamondbacks have destroyed them in back-to-back 13-run performances while allowing just four runs themselves and I think the D'backs will come out of today's contest with the "W" as well.

Here are my keys to the game:

1. Pitching - The Phillies hand the ball to 22 year old rookie Aaron Nola (2-1, 3.65 ERA). He'll make his fifth start in the majors, third on the road where he's conceded seven runs on 11 hits and four walks over 13 2/3 innings. The D'backs will counter with Chase Anderson (5-4, 4.10) who's off seven scoreless innings of a 2-0 home win against the Reds. This will be his second start against the Phillies for the year and he allowed only one run in 5 1/3 innings with a .158 batting average against in the first meeting.

2. Home Cookin' - The D'backs have won six of their last seven home at Chase Field and the home team is 5-0 in umpire Jim Wolf's last five games behind home plate. The Phillies are 18-40 away from home this season.

3. X-Factor - The D'backs David Peralta is 12-for-20 with 10 RBIs in his last five games and he was 2-for-4 with a grand slam last night.

Selection: This is a play on the Arizona Diamondbacks (8*)