The Philadelphia Phillies host the Los Angeles Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday, July 22, with first pitch scheduled for 6:40 PM ET. Aaron Nola takes the ball for Philadelphia against left-hander Eric Lauer, making this one of the more compelling mid-summer matchups the Phillies have had on their home schedule. The Dodgers are a perennial contender built around elite pitching and a deep lineup, and anytime Los Angeles comes to South Philly, the stakes feel a little higher. This one is worth your full attention.

Probable Pitchers: Aaron Nola vs. Eric Lauer

Nola is the anchor of this Phillies rotation, and Citizens Bank Park has seen him deliver in big moments before. The right-hander brings his trademark mix of curveballs and command, and he gives Philadelphia exactly what you want in a game of this profile — a starter who eats innings and keeps the club in the game. The Phillies need him to work deep into this one and limit the damage against a Dodgers offense that is capable of punishing any mistake.

On the other side, Lauer is a soft-tossing left-hander whose success depends on generating soft contact and keeping hitters off-balance. He is not a power arm, which means the Philadelphia lineup will be looking to work counts, identify his patterns early, and put the ball in play with authority. The Phillies have the personnel to make that happen.

Philadelphia Phillies Starting Lineup

• Trea Turner — SS
• Kyle Schwarber — DH
• Bryce Harper — 1B
• Alec Bohm — 3B
• Edmundo Sosa — LF
• Derek Hill — CF
• Bryan De La Cruz — RF
• Bryson Stott — 2B
• Rafael Marchán — C

Keys to Watch Against Los Angeles

Philadelphia's Top of the Order Must Set the Tone

Trea Turner leading off, Schwarber batting second, and Bryce Harper hitting third is as good a 1-2-3 combination as there is in the National League. If that trio is making Lauer work and getting on base, the Phillies will generate scoring chances. Harper in particular is the kind of hitter who can take a game over in a single at-bat, and with Alec Bohm behind him, the Dodgers cannot simply pitch around the MVP first baseman without consequence.

Nola's Command Against a Deep Lineup

The Dodgers are patient and disciplined at the plate. Nola cannot afford to fall behind in counts and start nibbling. When he is at his best, he is pounding the strike zone with conviction and using his curveball as a true weapon. Walks will kill him against this offense. Keep an eye on his pitch count through the first three innings — if he is efficient early, the Phillies are in good shape.

Bottom Third of the Phillies Order

Hill, De La Cruz, Stott, and Marchán represent a section of this lineup that will need to contribute for Philadelphia to put up a crooked number. If Lauer cruises through the bottom of the order, he will have an easier time managing the dangerous part of the lineup. Making him work from top to bottom is the formula.

Prediction

This is a quality opponent on a summer Wednesday night at Citizens Bank Park — exactly the kind of game Nola is built for. Expect a well-pitched game that stays close into the sixth inning. The Phillies offense gets to Lauer in the middle frames, and Nola gives the bullpen a short list of outs to close it out. Phillies win, 4-2. Catch the game on NBCSP or on 94 WIP.