Series Preview: Braves vs Phillies

Sep 8, 2013; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman (5) shares a laugh with Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins (11) during the first inning at Citizens Bank Park. The Phillies defeated the Braves 3-2. Mandatory Credit: Howard Smith-USA TODAY Sports

The Braves will host the Philadelphia Phillies in a four game set to close out the 2013 season in a series that will determine if the Braves will have home field advantage throughout the National League playoffs. If the Braves sweep the series they will finish with at worst a tie for the best record in the NL and the Braves hold the tie breaker over every other NL playoff team. It’s simple, sweep the Phillies and the Braves secure the number 1 seed and the right to host the winner of the stupid game. Any losses and the Braves fate will be determined by how St Louis does in their final series.

The good news for the Braves is they are playing at home against the Phillies. The Braves have the best home record in baseball and the Phillies are terrible. Of course the Braves just got shut out twice by the terrible Brewers and their offense has been awful in September so anything can happen. The Braves will start David Hale in Game 1 of the series and then follow up with their NLDS rotation, with Kris Medlen going on Friday, Mike Minor on Saturday, and Julio Teheran on Sunday to end the season.

The Braves offense has been terrible lately but has been much better in the four games Jason Heyward has started. Freddie Freeman missed both games the Braves were shut out in by the Brewers once due to rest and once due to ejection in the first inning. In an unexpected twist, the Braves play better when their best players are in the lineup. These games are vital and almost everyone got some level of rest in the Brewers series so expect the Braves to play full out and try to win every game of the final set.

Pitching Matchups:

David Hale vs Tyler Cloyd (What is a Tyler Cloyd?)

Kris Medlen vs Cliff Lee

Mike Minor vs TBA (Calling a Braves victory now if the Phillies don’t actually start anyone)

Julio Teheran vs Zach Miner