The Philadelphia Phillies make the trip to Chase Field in Phoenix for a Tuesday night showdown with the Arizona Diamondbacks, with first pitch set for 9:40 PM ET. Jesús Luzardo gets the ball for Philadelphia against Arizona's Eduardo Rodriguez in a late-season regular season matchup that carries real weight in the standings race. This is a long road trip, a late start, and a tough opponent — exactly the kind of game that separates contending clubs from the rest of the pack. Phillies fans can catch every pitch on NBCSP and 94 WIP.

Phillies vs. Diamondbacks Pitching Matchup: Luzardo vs. Rodriguez

Jesús Luzardo draws the start for the Phillies on Tuesday. The left-hander has been a key piece of Philadelphia's rotation this season, and this is a significant assignment — Chase Field plays big with its retractable roof and dry desert air, and Arizona's lineup presents a genuine challenge. Luzardo will need to be sharp from the first pitch.

On the other side, Eduardo Rodriguez takes the mound for the Diamondbacks. Rodriguez is a veteran presence with plenty of experience in big games, and pitching at home in September gives him an edge. Philadelphia's offense will need to be disciplined and patient to get to him early.

Arizona Diamondbacks Lineup: The Threats to Watch

The D-backs are sending out a formidable lineup Tuesday night. Here are the names Luzardo has to navigate:

• Geraldo Perdomo leading off at shortstop sets the table for a patient Arizona attack
• Corbin Carroll hits second in right field — he has the speed and bat to create problems from the jump
• Gabriel Moreno bats third behind the plate, a dangerous spot in the order for a catcher
• Ketel Marte slots in at cleanup as the DH — one of the more dangerous bats in the National League
• Nolan Arenado hits fifth at third base, bringing his Gold Glove defense and proven run-producing bat
• Ildemaro Vargas, Tim Tawa, Jordan Lawlar, and Ryan Waldschmidt round out the bottom of the order

That 3-4-5 combination of Moreno, Marte, and Arenado is not something Luzardo can take lightly for even a single at-bat. Marte in particular has the ability to carry an offense for stretches, and Arenado's postseason pedigree and RBI track record make him a classic danger man with runners on base.

Keys to the Game for Philadelphia

• Luzardo must limit damage in the middle of Arizona's order — Marte and Arenado cannot see premium fastballs in hitter's counts
• The Phillies' offense needs to get to Rodriguez early and force Arizona's bullpen into the game by the fifth or sixth inning
• Baserunning and situational hitting will matter in a park where runs can come in bunches
• Philadelphia's bullpen management late will be critical given the late-start, west coast fatigue factor

Prediction: Phillies 5, Diamondbacks 4

This is a game the Phillies can take, but it won't be clean. Chase Field is not a pitcher's park, and Rodriguez is capable of shutting Philadelphia down if the offense is passive. Luzardo needs to get through five or six innings and keep the D-backs' middle of the order from breaking the game open. If the Phillies can build an early lead and hand it to the bullpen with an advantage, they steal this one on the road. Expect a tight, back-and-forth September game where the team that manufactures runs more efficiently walks away with the win. Phillies take it by a single run.