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Webb, Hamels square off as Diamondbacks face Phillies

Jul 13, 2008 - 2:10 PM Arizona (47-47) at Philadelphia (51-44) 1:35 pm EDT

PHILADELPHIA (Ticker) -- Two of the top pitchers in the National League will face off Sunday when the Philadelphia Phillies host the Arizona Diamondbacks in the finale of a three-game series.

Brandon Webb (13-4, 3.27 ERA) will be aiming to become the first pitcher to reach 14 wins this season as he gets ready to represent the Diamondbacks in his third consecutive All-Star Game on Tuesday at Yankee Stadium. The sinkerballer would have been one of the main candidates to start the Midsummer Classic for the NL side, but facing the Phillies on Sunday leaves him with just one day of rest before the game.

Arizona needs his services more anyway, as the club has struggled over the last two months and leads the NL West with a .500 record after going 20-8 in April. Webb has helped keep the club afloat, lasting at least six innings in all but three of his 19 starts this season while holding opponents to a .239 batting average.

The Diamondbacks took the middle game of the set, 10-4, on Saturday as Randy Johnson earned his 290th career win.

The Phillies will counter with lefthander Cole Hamels (9-6, 3.18). One of the more notable snubs from this summer's All-Star festivities, Hamels tops Webb in ERA, strikeouts and WHIP while also pitching for a first -lace team.

Hamels has gone at least seven innings in each of his last seven starts, posting a 4-2 record with a 2.35 ERA over that span.