This is an 8* on PHILADELPHIA

Two teams looking to make late season surges will meet this weekend in Philadelphia. The Phillies have won 9 of their last 11 games to move into first place in the NL East. They beat the Dodgers 2-1 yesterday and avoided being swept at home. Cincinnati had also been rolling prior to its last series. Like the Phillies, a win yesterday allowed them to avoid getting swept. They won big, 12-3 over Atlanta. The Reds are 7-4 in August. But four of those seven wins were against Pittsburgh, who is very bad. Tyler Mahle has pitched well on the road this season. But he hasn’t pitched as well as the Phillies’ Zack Wheeler. After tossing a complete-game shutout in his last start, Wheeler’s ERA and WHIP are down to 2.42 and 0.994. Wheeler’s 11 strikeouts against the Mets on Sunday were his most in any start since June. He has made four starts against the Reds in his career, never lost and never given up a home run. As for Mahle, two previous starts vs. Philadelphia has resulted in a 7.50 ERA. The Phillies are 35-23 at home and as hot as any team in baseball right now. Play on PHILADELPHIA

AAA