Braves Host Phillies For Three Game Series

After splitting their four game set with the Cincinnati Reds, the Atlanta Braves host the Philadelphia Phillies for a three game series this week.  Atlanta (12-13) looks to improve their luck against lowly Philadelphia (9-17) after losing two out of three at Citizens Bank Park two weekends ago.

Tonight’s starters are LHP Alex Wood (1-1, 4.03 ERA) for the Braves and former Brave RHP Aaron Harang (2-2, 2.51 ERA) of the Phillies.  Last time these two former teammates faced off, Freddie Freeman couldn’t field grounders at first as the Braves lost an embarrassing game 1-0 on a walkoff error.  Freeman has swung the bat well and is back to his excellent defensive ways since leaving the Cheesesteak Capital of World.

Wednesday’s matchup features Braves RHP Shelby Miller (3-1, 2.17 ERA) and Phillies RHP Chad Billingsley making his team debut after suffering two right elbow injuries that both needed surgery.  Miller has pitched very well for the Braves since coming over from the St. Louis Cardinals in the Jason Heyward trade.  Shelby has increased his workload gradually in his five Atlanta starts, completing seven innings in a tough loss Thursday night to the Reds.  Billingsley was an effective middle of the rotation starter for the Los Angeles Dodgers for the better part of a decade before arm trouble derailed his career.  Chad will make his first major league start since 2013.

Thursday’s series finale will showcase rookie Braves RHP Mike Foltynewicz (1-0, 3.60 ERA) as he takes on Phillies RHP Jerome Williams (2-1, 4.08 ERA).  Folty had a great Braves debut in his first Major League start getting the win and 2 RBI’s at the plate.  Williams got the victory in his quality start against the Braves last weekend.

With the Braves sitting in second place of the National League with a near-.500 record, they’re pretty much in the middle of the pack in every team statistical category.  While the strikeouts are down offensively, the walks are up for the pitching staff, especially in the bullpen.  These extra walks have proven problematic for the team’s mediocre ERA of 4.39, good enough for third worst in the National League.  Atlanta cannot afford to give free passes to either Ben Revere or Odubel Herrera, both of whom can absolutely fly on the basepath.

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And with Philly comes Braves killer 1B Ryan Howard.  It’s not if he will hit a home run versus the Braves, it’s more like when and how many?  If Howard played the Braves 162 games a year, he would be the greatest power hitting first baseman of all time.  Basically, the NL’s version of the late Harmon Killebrew.

In my opinion, Philadelphia got a bit lucky at home to catch a Braves team tired of being on the road.  I think Atlanta will take two of three in this series.  If the walks decline greatly, possibly a Braves sweep.  Wouldn’t it feel great to sweep a division rival again?  That hasn’t happened since opening weekend at Marlins Park versus the Fish.  If the Braves want to stay in the Wild Card conversation, the team needs to win series against inferior opponents at home like Philadelphia.