The strikeout-prone Atlanta Braves (89-55) will have their work cut out for them at Truist Park on Saturday against the Philadelphia Phillies (80-64) and Aaron Nola, owner of one of this season’s best K/9 rates,. The Braves took Friday’s series opener 7-2, their seventh head-to-head victory in 13 games this season. Reliever Jesse Chavez threw 0.1 scoreless innings to get the win. William Contreras went 3 for 4 with a home run, two runs, and two RBIs in the win. Ronald Acuna Jr. added a home run and two RBIs. Jean Segura was 1 for 3 with a solo home run for the Phillies.
ON THE MOUND
Nola (9-11, 3.35 ERA) is in line to get the start for Philadelphia. The righty ranks third in the NL in strikeouts (202). Nola threw two scoreless innings in his last start, a 7-5 road win over the Nationals on Sunday. He yielded two hits while striking out two in the no-decision. Over three previous starts against the Braves this season, Nola has allowed 10 earned runs over 21.1 innings (2-1, 4.22). He has struck out 25 and walked two. For Atlanta, righty Jake Odorizzi (5-5, 3.90 ERA) is on the mound. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Phillies. In his last start on Sunday, Odorizzi took a no-decision on the road against the Mariners. He threw 3.2 innings and gave up four runs on five hits, striking out three and walking three in the 8-7 defeat.
AT THE PLATE
Over the last five games, Philadelphia has averaged 4.0 runs a game, a small drop compared to their season average of 4.7. Against righties like Odorizzi this season, the Phils have a .729 OPS. Kyle Schwarber is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .851 OPS in 337 at-bats. Atlanta is averaging only 4.4 runs per game in the last five, down slightly from 4.9 for the season. The Braves have a .752 OPS against right-handers in 2022, fourth highest in MLB. With ann .816 OPS over 422 at-bats, Austin Riley has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Philadelphia is 36-33 away from Citizens Bank Park in 2022, scoring 4.5 runs per game while allowing 4.4 runs. Atlanta has won six in a row at Truist Park. The Braves are 48-25 at home this season, averaging 5.0 runs per game while surrendering 3.6. Atlanta is 7-3 in the last 10 games between the NL East rivals at Truist Park with an average scoreline of 5.3-3.2.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Phillies are third in the NL East, 10 games behind the division-leading Mets. They currently occupy one of the Wild Card spots, sitting second. The Braves are second in the NL East, one games behind the Mets. They currently occupy one of the Wild Card spots, sitting first with a magic number of eight.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Atlanta Braves (-110)
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*Odds correct at time of publication, courtesy of BetMGM.
