The Philadelphia Phillies travel to Chase Field to face the Arizona Diamondbacks on Monday, August 31, with first pitch scheduled for 9:40 PM ET. Aaron Nola gets the ball for Philadelphia in a road matchup that carries real regular-season weight. Arizona has not announced a probable starter. The Phillies come in with a lineup loaded at the top — Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner, and Bryce Harper setting the table — and a rotation anchor on the mound. Catch the game on NBCSP or tune in on 94 WIP.

Pitching Matchup: Nola vs. TBA

Aaron Nola is Philadelphia's assignment tonight, a right-hander who has been a cornerstone of this rotation for years. Nola works with a deep arsenal — curveball, changeup, four-seam, cutter — and his ability to generate weak contact and pile up strikes makes him a reliable option in any ballpark. Arizona has not confirmed a starter as of this writing, which creates some uncertainty for how the Phillies game-plan offensively, though their lineup is capable of adjusting on the fly regardless of who takes the mound for the D-backs.

Philadelphia Phillies Starting Lineup

• 1. Kyle Schwarber, DH
• 2. Trea Turner, SS
• 3. Bryce Harper, RF
• 4. Luis Arraez, 2B
• 5. Alec Bohm, 1B
• 6. Bryson Stott, 3B
• 7. Brandon Marsh, LF
• 8. Justin Crawford, CF
• 9. Garrett Stubbs, C

Arizona Diamondbacks Starting Lineup

• 1. Geraldo Perdomo, SS
• 2. Corbin Carroll, RF
• 3. Gabriel Moreno, C
• 4. Ketel Marte, DH
• 5. Lars Nootbaar, LF
• 6. Nolan Arenado, 3B
• 7. Tim Tawa, 1B
• 8. Ildemaro Vargas, 2B
• 9. Ryan Waldschmidt, CF

Keys to Watch at Chase Field

Nola's Command Against a Contact-Heavy Lineup

Arizona's lineup does not strike out at an alarming rate and features contact hitters who put the ball in play. Nola's success tonight will hinge on his ability to stay ahead in counts and avoid the middle of the zone, particularly against Ketel Marte at cleanup and Corbin Carroll near the top. If Nola is sharp with his breaking ball early, the D-backs' hitters will be playing from behind all night.

Harper and Schwarber Setting the Tone

Bryce Harper hitting third and Kyle Schwarber leading off is as dangerous a combination as any in the National League. Philadelphia's offense has the firepower to put up crooked numbers in an environment like Chase Field, where the ball travels. If Schwarber gets on base early and Harper does damage, this game can open up quickly for the Phillies.

Arizona's Lineup Depth Is Not to Be Dismissed

Nolan Arenado brings experience and power at the six spot, and Ketel Marte anchors the middle of the order as a consistent threat. Nola cannot afford to cruise through the lineup with anything less than full focus. The D-backs have enough weapons to punish mistakes, even without a confirmed starter creating an obvious pitching advantage for either side.

Prediction

Nola pitching a clean six-plus innings is the most likely path to a Phillies win here. If he keeps Arizona off the board early and the Philadelphia offense does what it is capable of against an unannounced starter, the Phillies take this one on the road. Give the edge to Philadelphia, 4-2.