Free MLB Picks Today: Atlanta Braves vs Philadelphia Phillies 9/18/22

The Atlanta Braves (90-55) host the Philadelphia Phillies (80-65) at Truist Park on Sunday with the home team eyeing a sweep of the three-game series. The Braves lead the series 2-0 after winning 4-3 on Saturday, their eighth head-to-head victory in 14 games this season. Dylan Lee got the win with 0.1 scoreless innings of relief, and Kenley Jansen earned his 34th save with a scoreless ninth. Ronald Acuna Jr. went 2 for 4 with a home run and a double in the win. He drove in four runs. Ozzie Albies added two runs on one hit and a walk. Bryson Stott was 2 for 3 with two runs and one RBI for the Phillies, stretching his on-base streak to 12 games.

ON THE MOUND

Bailey Falter (5-3, 3.80 ERA) is in line for the start for Philadelphia. The left-hander allowed one run over six innings in his last start, a 2-1 road win over the Marlins on Tuesday. He was credited with the win, giving up four hits while striking out four. Righty Spencer Strider (10-5, 2.72 ERA) takes the mound for Atlanta. He has made three appearances against the Phillies this season, including two starts, giving up two runs over 15.1 innings (3-0, 1.17) with 24 strikeouts and four walks. In his last start on Monday, Strider took the loss on the road against the Giants. He threw five innings and gave up three runs (2 ER) on nine hits, striking out nine and walking one in the 3-2 defeat. The right-hander ranks fourth in the NL in strikeouts (192).

AT THE PLATE

Over the last five games, Philadelphia has averaged only 3.2 runs a game, down from their season average of 4.7, while slashing worse across the board (.229/.285/.398). Against right-handed pitchers like Strider this season, the Phils have a .726 OPS. Kyle Schwarber is the team’s most potent producer against right-handers with a .843 OPS in 340 at-bats. Atlanta is averaging only 3.8 runs per game in the last five, down from 4.9 for the season, with their slash line falling across the board (.250/.301/.372). The Braves have a .786 OPS against left-handers in 2022, third highest in MLB. With a 1.157 OPS over 131 at-bats, Austin Riley has been their best hitter against left-handers.

HOME AND AWAY

Philadelphia is on a three-game losing streak on the road, bringing their record to 36-34 in 2022. The Phils have scored 4.5 runs per game away from home, while allowing 4.4 runs. Atlanta has won seven in a row in front of their home fans. The Braves are 49-25 at home this season, averaging 4.9 runs per game while surrendering 3.6. Atlanta is 7-3 in the last 10 games at Truist Park between the NL East rivals with an average scoreline of 5.5-3.4.

STANDINGS UPDATE

The Phillies are third in the NL East, 11 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 seven.