The set-up: Chase Utley returns to Citizens Bank Park for the first time in an opposing uniform as the LA Dodgers visit the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night in the opener of a three-game series. Utley spent his first 13 seasons with the Phillies until he was shipped to the Dodgers at last year's trade deadline and he'll return to the City of Brotherly Love with a team that is now just a half-game back of the SF Giants in the NL West, as the slumping Giants fell to 9-19 since the All Star break with an 8-5 home loss Monday against the Pirates. The 56-63 Phillies have never really been in the playoff race at any point this season but bettors are well aware of Philadelphia, as the Phillies rank 4th-best in the moneyline standings at plus-$788 (note: the overpriced Dodgers may be 13 games over .500 but their moneyline mark is minus-$414).

The pitching matchup: Rookie Kenta Maeda (11-7, 3.31 ERA) gets the call for LA and Vince Velasquez (8-4, 3.94 ERA) goes for Philadelphia. Maeda enters on a four-start unbeaten streak and looks looks to beat the Phillies and Velasquez for the second time in a span of eight days (allowed three runs over five innings in a 9-3 win on August 9). In contrast, Velasquez is winless in five starts since the All-Star break, including allowing nine runs on 11 hits (both season-highs) over just 4 2/3 innings in that August 9 meeting. However, he does own a 1.72 ERA in nine home starts here in 2016.

The pick: Velasquez suffered a biceps strain that has caused him to miss several starts in June and July but he hasn't missed any starts lately. As for LA, the Dodgers need Maeda to pitch deep into Tuesday's contest, after their last two starters failed to get through the second inning, taxing the bullpen for 15 1/3 innings Saturday and Sunday. Expect that to happen, as we note that Maeda is an impressive 7-2 with a 3.28 ERA in 11 road starts in 2016 (team is 8-3). Add in Velaquez's 1.72 home ERA this season and I can smell an under on Tuesday. Make it a top-rated 10* play.