The set-up: The Phillies will end their season with a 10-game stretch against NL East division foes (note: the 67-83 Phillies aren't exactly in a pennant race) but up first is the team's final two IL games, when the Phils host the White Sox Tuesday and Wednesday. The Chicago White Sox know all about "playing out the string," as after a strong start (23-10), the team comes to Philadelphia at 72-78, 10 games out of a wild card berth with 12 games remaining on its schedule. The White Sox opened their current nine-game road trip by losing three of four at Kansas City (Fri-Mon). Philadelphia concludes its nine-game homestand (currently 4-3) with these two games vs. Chicago.

The pitching matchup: James Shields (5-17, 5.84 ERA) takes the mound for Chicago and Jake Thompson (2-5, 5.64 ERA) starts for Philadelphia. Shields is a veteran making his 350th career appearance (349th start), while rookie Thompson makes his ninth career start. Shields had posted double-digit wins in every season from 2007-15 but in 2016 he got off to a terrible start with San Diego and then after being traded to Chicago, has continued his ‘nightmare' of a season. He's 3-10 with a 6.94 ERA for Chicago and his overall moneyline mark (8-22, minus-$1308) ranks second-worst among all MLB starters. Thompson snapped a five-start winless streak by holding Pittsburgh to two runs on six hits and three walks in six innings on Wednesday but the Phillies are 2-6 (minus-$366) in all of his starts.

The pick: Shields comes in is winless in his last nine outings (team is 2-7), with his last victory coming way back in July 26. Meanwhile, Thompson has allowed two or less ERs in each of his last four starts. The Phillies are a 10* play.