Atlanta Braves Starting Key Series With Division Rival Phillies
By Kit Anderson
The Atlanta Braves are starting a key series against the Phillies tonight as the Braves attempt to clinch their division. Sweeping Philly would give the Braves the division and their first postseason berth in nearly half a decade.
The Atlanta Braves are starting a series against the Phillies on Thursday night, a series that will be key for Atlanta. If the Braves can sweep they will clinch their division and a postseason berth. Atlanta is in need of a series win having played badly at home.
They lost a series to the Cardinals winning the third game in the series only able to salvage a single victory. Sweeping the Phillies may be improbable but it would allow Atlanta the ability to set up their rotation and rest their starters headed into the postseason.
The earlier they can clinch the better for the team, and their manager who has a difficult job to juggle. Trying to keep his starters healthy and rested while still prepared for the postseason and staying in front of the Phillies and Nationals.
The Nationals have all but fallen out of the division race and the Phillies are fading as they make their last gasp against Atlanta in a weekend series.
Washington is sitting seven games back of Atlanta while the Phillies are five games back coming into tonight’s game.
Winning or splitting the series is a must for Atlanta if they want to remain comfortable down the stretch.
No matter the results the Braves will have at least a 1.5 game lead headed into the final week and a half of the season.
Clinching the division early will have many advantages for the Braves, leaving fans pulling for a series sweep and a division win.
Having the ability to order their rotation headed into postseason and rest veterans like Freddie Freeman and Nick Markakis could offer Atlanta an advantage they won’t have if they take the division race down to the final week of the season.
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Tonight’s game will kick-off the four-game series with first pitch scheduled for 7:35 PM EST in Atlanta.