The Arizona Diamondbacks (77-70) will try to keep their playoff hopes alive on Friday when they visit the World Series champion Houston Astros (92-54) as large road underdogs at the sportsbooks.The Diamondbacks have lost two games in a row to fall further behind in the race for a National League Wild Card spot Mike Matheny Jersey , while the Astros are an MLB-best 10-1 during September and riding a three-game winning streak.MLB betting line: The Astros opened as -170 favorites (wager $170 to win $100); the total is at eight runs, according to sportsbooks monitored by OddsShark. (Line updates and matchup report)MLB betting pick, via OddsShark computer: 4.2-1.3, Diamondbacks (MLB picks on every game)Check out the OddsShark podcast on iTunes or at OddsShark.libsyn.com for more odds information, betting picks and a breakdown of this week's top sports betting news. Why the Diamondbacks can pay on the MLB linesThis is a make-or-break time for Arizona, with the team's hopes of winning the NL West shrinking along with its postseason chances overall. The Diamondbacks will send southpaw Robbie Ray (5-2, 4.18 ERA) to the hill in this critical series opener, and he has been much better on the road this season.The 26-year-old has gone 3-1 in 10 starts away from home with a 2.90 ERA, and opposing batters are hitting just .193 against him under that scenario. He has also pitched well for Arizona in September http://www.stlouiscardinalsteamshop.com/authentic-red-schoendienst-jersey , allowing two runs and four hits with six walks and 16 strikeouts in 12.1 innings over two outings. Why the Astros can pay on the MLB linesHouston is peaking at the perfect time and finally healthy for a run at another World Series title. The Astros are coming off a three-game sweep of the Detroit Tigers, winning each game by one run. In fact, their only loss this month was a 6-5 defeat versus the Boston Red Sox on Sunday.Their previous seven wins in September were all decided by two runs or more, which is good to know for runline bettors. Dallas Keuchel (11-10, 3.59 ERA) will toe the rubber for Houston in this spot, and he is 4-2 in 10 starts since the All-Star break with a 3.27 ERA.Smart betting pickThe Astros are 8-3 in their last 11 interleague games, according to the OddsShark MLB Database, but they did lose two of three to the Diamondbacks on the road prior to that. While Houston is the better team, look for Arizona to play with more desperation knowing a final push is needed to make the playoffs. Take the Diamondbacks.MLB betting trendsThe total has gone over in six of Arizona's last eight games.The total has gone over in five of Houston's last seven games.All MLB odds and betting trends according to Bleacher Report's official odds partner Enos Slaughter Jersey , OddsShark. Check out OddsShark on Twitter and Instagram or head to YouTube for more betting picks and analysis on this week's top games. You can also download the free odds tracker app. PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Philadelphia Phillies‘ acquisition of Asdrubal Cabrera last month didn’t draw much attention. The bigger story, it seemed, was the organization’s decision not to part with key prospects to make a big splash at the trade deadline.Cabrera, though, has showed in the past couple of days that he may be the needed bat to help propel the youngest team in the majors to an unlikely division title.Cabrera hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the eighth inning and the surging Phillies completed a four-game sweep of the Miami Marlins with a 5-3 victory Sunday.“He just looks like a guy that’s been there and done that,” Phillies manager Gabe Kapler said of the 32-year-old switch-hitter. “The big situation seems like it fits him very well.”Cabrera, acquired in a July 27 trade with the New York Mets, crushed a 2-0 cutter from Drew Steckenrider (3-2) into the second deck in right field for his 20th homer and his second in as many days.“When you do something like I did today to help the team win, you feel good http://www.stlouiscardinalsteamshop.com/authentic-chris-carpenter-jersey ,” Cabrera said.Pat Nehsek (1-0) pitched a perfect eighth and Tommy Hunter worked the ninth for his second save as the Phillies overcame a mediocre outing from Aaron Nola for their fifth straight win. Philadelphia improved to an NL-best 38-18 at home and maintained its 1½-game lead over Atlanta atop the NL East.“What I see from this team is they fight every inning,” Cabrera said. “They never put their head down.”Derek Dietrich hit a two-run home run off Nola and Justin Bour tied it with a solo shot off Seranthony Dominguez in a three-run seventh for the Marlins, who have dropped six straight and 10 of 13.“When we needed a big out or a big hit this series, we weren’t able to do it,” Miami manager Don Mattingly said. “I think we’re better than this.”The Phillies took a 3-0 lead on Odubel Herrera’s two-run single and Maikel Franco’s RBI single in the sixth.On a 90-degree day in which the Phillies’ 2008 World Series-winning team was honored, Nola didn’t have his best stuff and was lifted after Dietrich’s 14th homer with no outs. Nola allowed seven hits and two walks while striking out two as he was denied his 13th win.“It was a grind for me,” Nola said.Marlins starter Dan Straily surrendered only one hit but was replaced after 5 1/3 innings following five walks and a hit batter that pushed his pitch count to 103. Herrera and Franco then delivered ground singles off lefty Adam Conley.TRAINER’S ROOMPhillies: SS J.P. Crawford (broken left hand) had a scheduled day off in his rehab. He’s set to play full games Monday and Tuesday for Class A Clearwater. . RHP Pedro Florimon (broken right foot) said he was pain-free after a morning workout while wearing a brace.CHEERING 2008Jayson Werth acknowledged that the “elephant in the room” was how he’d be greeted during the 10-year reunion of Philadelphia’s last World Series title. Werth went from hero to villain after leaving for divisional rival Washington.Werth was cheered and later rode with the Phillie Phanatic in his four-wheeler.Ryan Howard, Brad Lidge, Jamie Moyer and Jimmy Rollins also attended.HARPER & PHILLYWerth was asked what he’d tell former Nationals teammate Bryce Harper if the impending free agent inquired about the Phillies.“I think he’s already asked me about Philadelphia Kolten Wong Jersey ,” Werth said.After joking it would be tampering if he revealed what he told him, Werth relented.“It’s a great place to hit. I’ve always loved hitting here,” Werth said. “I think I’ve shared that with him, among other things about this place.”HANDICAPPING WITH MATTINGLYAfter playing the Nationals, Braves and Phillies in consecutive series, Mattingly was asked to size up the NL East race. He believes the Phillies have a better rotation than the Braves but thinks the inconsistent Nationals are the most talented and “most capable of getting on a run.”UP NEXTMarlins: LHP Wei-Yin Chen (3-8, 5.86 ERA) was pushed back a day to start Monday night at Marlins Park against St. Louis RHP Luke Weaver (6-9, 4.75). And for good reason. Chen’s home ERA is 2.18, compared with 10.27 on the road. “We’re not going to try to explain it Trevor Rosenthal Jersey ,” Mattingly said. “We’re going to try to ride it.”Phillies: RHP Jake Arrieta (9-6, 3.32) starts Monday night against Arizona RHP Zack Godley (12-6, 4.46) in a matchup of division leaders that kicks off a six-game trip.