Having completed a four-game sweep that knocked the Pittsburgh Pirates out of first place in the National League Central, the Phillies will step up in class when they begin a three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks on Tuesday night at Citizens Bank Park. The Diamondbacks are the Phillies’ first opponent this season that made the playoffs last season, but more than that, the Snakes come to town with the best record in the National League, 15-6.
The Diamondbacks, led by slugger Paul Goldschmidt, had one of the best offensive teams in the majors last season, but so far this year, their pitching staff is carrying them.