The Atlanta Braves (30-19), one of the best offenses in the National League, are set to host the Philadelphia Phillies (23-26) at Truist Park on Thursday to open a four-game series. The Phillies are playing their first of 10 games on the road after wrapping up a six-game homestand (3-3).
They won only one out of three in their last series against the Diamondbacks, taking the finale 6-5 on Wednesday at Citizens Bank Park. Bryson Stott was 3 for 5 with one run. The Braves are kicking off the final series of their 10-game homestand.
They lost two of three against the Dodgers in their last series, taking the finale 4-3 on Wednesday at Truist Park. Austin Riley went 2 for 4 with two doubles and one run. Marcell Ozuna added a home run and two RBIs.
The teams are meeting for the first time since 2022 National League Divisional Playoffs, which the Phillies won in four games. The Braves won the regular season series between the NL East rivals (11-8), although they dropped three out of four in their most recent meeting at Citizens Bank Park in October.
ON THE MOUND
Aaron Nola (4-3, 4.31 ERA) is set to start for Philadelphia. The right-hander allowed two runs over seven innings in his last start, a 12-3 road win over the Cubs on Saturday. He was credited with the win, scattering four hits while striking out 10 and walking one.
Over five starts against the Braves in 2022, Nola was 3-2 with a 3.67 ERA over 34.1 innings. He had 41 strikeouts and seven walks.Southpaw Dylan Dodd (2-1, 6.46 ERA) will take the mound for Atlanta.
In his last start on May 4, Dodd got the win on the road against the Marlins. He threw six innings and gave up three runs on eight hits, striking out one and walking three in the 6-3 victory.
AT THE PLATE
The Philadelphia offense is averaging 4.3 runs per game for the season, with a slash line of .258/.322/.416. Brandon Marsh leads the team in OPS at .861. The right fielder is slashing .269/.384/.478 with four home runs, 18 RBIs, and 20 runs over 46 games.
Against lefties like Dodd this season, the Phils have a .684 OPS. Marsh also is the team’s most productive hitter against left-handers with a .876 OPS in 35 at-bats.
Atlanta is slashing .254/.331/.456 for the season and averaging 5.1 runs per game, third best in the National League. Ronald Acuna Jr. leads the team with a .995 OPS.
The right fielder has 11 home runs, 27 RBIs, and 46 runs scored with a slash line of .330/.419/.576. Atlanta is averaging only 3.4 runs per game in the last five with their slash line slipping across the board (.215/.271/.367).
The Braves have a .724 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .997 OPS over 126 at-bats, Matt Olson has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Philadelphia is on a four-game losing streak on the road, bringing their record to 9-16 in 2023. The Phils have scored 4.0 runs per game away from home, while allowing 5.8 runs.
Atlanta has gone 13-12 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 4.6 runs per game while surrendering 4.9. In the last 10 games between the teams at Truist Park, Atlanta is 7-3 with an average scoreline of 5.4-3.1.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Braves lead the NL East by five games over the Marlins. The Phillies are fourth in the NL East, seven games behind the Braves.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Atlanta Braves (-110)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
