Atlanta Braves Must Continue to Set Tone Against the Phillies
By Kit Anderson
It may be a bit early in the year to call an Atlanta Braves series an important one. But, the next three games against the Phillies are as close to an important game as you can get in the middle of May.
The Phillies are only 1.5 games behind the Atlanta Braves and are set for a three-game slate this week with the Braves. The Braves have played well against the Phillies this season and must continue that trend this week.
With only a game and a half lead over the Phillies, the Braves cannot afford to lose this series. They must continue to score consistently and get into the pen early.
Watching the Phillies this season they are benefitting from overachieving players. They won’t continue to threaten the Braves. The Braves real threat resides in Washington.
If the Nationals were healthy the Braves are unlikely to have the four-game lead they do over the Nationals. The Braves must win this series and continue to build a division lead while Washington is hurting.
The Braves next series will be no easy task either. After facing the Phillies the Braves have to take on postseason-bound Boston Red Sox.
Winning the series against the Phillies before taking on a powerhouse like the Red Sox will be important for the young Braves roster.
The Phillies will be looking to take over the National League East lead. The Mets, Nationals, and Phillies are all chasing the Braves with the Marlins being the only team fallen out of the race.
The Braves are coming off of a tough win against the Marlins a 10-9 walk-off that gave the Braves a series win against the Fish. The Braves must ride that momentum and win the series against the Phillies.
If not, their division lead could be in trouble headed to take on the Boston Red Sox.