7:05 pm
July 23

Braves @ Phillies

Who will WIN this matchup?

Atlanta Braves (47-48)

@ Philadelphia Phillies (47-48)

 

Starting Pitchers:

Fried (ATL): 7-5; 4.29 ERA

Wheeler (PHI) 7-5; 2.44 ERA

 

Current odds:

Atlanta Braves: (+125)

Philadelphia Phillies: (-145)

 

• The Philadelphia Phillies appeared ready to challenge the New York Mets for first place in the National League East. But, after moving two games above .500, the Phillies have slipped with three straight losses, including a 7-2 setback to the Atlanta Braves on Thursday. Philadelphia will look to avoid a fourth consecutive defeat when it hosts the Braves in the second game of a four-game series on Friday. As the trade deadline quickly approaches, it’s unclear what the Phillies front office will do if the team continues to lose.

• The Phillies will send All-Star Zack Wheeler (7-5, 2.44 ERA) to the mound. Wheeler is 7-6 with a 3.38 ERA in 19 career starts against the Braves.

• Philadelphia’s bullpen has been struggling lately, especially in the last three games. But Girardi said he’s not overly concerned.

• The Phillies were 5-for-32 with runners in scoring position in the last three games.

• The Braves arrived in Philadelphia late Thursday morning after Wednesday’s second game of a doubleheader was suspended due to rain in Atlanta. But the Braves looked like the fresher team as Dansby Swanson ripped his first career grand slam and Freddie Freeman added two hits and two walks. Now the Braves will search for a second straight win in this crucial series.

• The Braves always have a chance to win when Max Fried starts. Fried (7-5, 4.29) is 3-2 with a 4.08 ERA in 12 career games (six starts) against the Phillies. Fried also had a career-high three hits in his last outing against the Tampa Bay Rays.

• Injured catcher Travis d’Arnaud has been recovering from torn ligaments in his left thumb and could play as early as Friday.

5/10
Confidence
StreakSmarter Pick
Philadelphia Phillies
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