The Atlanta Braves (46-26) take one of the top offenses in the league on the road to face the Philadelphia Phillies (38-34) at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday to open a three-game series.
The Braves are embarking on a six-game road trip. They are coming off a four-game sweep of the Rockies, taking the finale 14-6 on Sunday at Truist Park for their sixth straight win.
Michael Harris II was 5 for 5 with a home run and a double. He scored three runs and drove in three. Eddie Rosario went 3 for 4 with two home runs, three runs, and six RBIs.
The Phillies are playing the first of six games at home after returning from a productive seven-game road trip (6-1). They are coming off a three-game sweep of the Athletics, taking the finale 3-2 on Sunday at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum for their sixth straight win. Kyle Schwarber went 3 for 4 with a home run and two RBIs. Cristian Pache added two doubles and two runs.
HEAD-TO-HEAD
The NL East rivals have split their games this season 2-2, as the Braves evened the season series with an 11-4 victory in their most recent meeting on May 28 at Truist Park. Spencer Strider went six innings to get the win, allowing two runs on two hits and striking out nine.
ON THE MOUND
Strider (7-2, 4.12 ERA) is in line to get the start for Atlanta. The right-hander leads the league in strikeouts (127). Strider allowed five runs over five innings in his last start, a 10-7 road win over the Tigers on Wednesday.
He earned the win, scattering seven hits while striking out six and walking two. Strider has made one previous start against the Phillies this season, an 11-4 home victory on May 28. He surrendered two runs on two hits over six innings, striking out nine and walking one.
Lefty Ranger Suarez (1-2, 3.82 ERA) gets the start for Philadelphia. It’s his first appearance of the season against the Braves. Suarez made five appearances against the Braves in 2022, all as the starter, striking out 23 and walking 12 over 28 innings (1-2, 3.21).
In his last start on Wednesday, Suarez took a no-decision on the road against the Diamondbacks. He threw seven scoreless innings and gave up four hits, striking out seven and walking two in the 4-3 win.
AT THE PLATE
The Atlanta offense is averaging 5.5 runs per game for the season, third best in MLB, with a slash line of .269/.339/.479. Five Braves hitters have an OPS of .800 or better, led by Ronald Acuna Jr. (.964). The right fielder is slashing .325/.403/.561 with 15 home runs, 45 RBIs, and 63 runs over 72 games.
Over the last five games, however, Atlanta has averaged 9.2 runs a game while slashing better across the board (.349/.430/.669). Against southpaws like Suarez this season, the Braves have a .903 OPS, the highest in MLB. Ozzie Albies is the team’s most productive hitter against left-handers with a 1.154 OPS in 75 at-bats.
Philadelphia is slashing .258/.322/.420 for the season and averaging 4.4 runs per game. Nick Castellanos leads the team with an .851 OPS. The right fielder has eight home runs, 42 RBIs, and 44 runs scored with a slash line of .315/.358/.493.
The Phils have a .753 OPS against right-handers in 2023. With a .833 OPS over 195 at-bats, Castellanos also has been their best hitter against right-handers.
HOME AND AWAY
Atlanta is 22-11 in road games in 2023, scoring 5.5 runs per game while allowing 3.4 runs. Philadelphia has gone 19-11 in front of their home fans this season, averaging 4.5 runs per game while surrendering 3.9. In the last 10 games at Citizens Bank Park between the teams, Philadelphia is 7-3 with an average scoreline of 6.7-3.5.
STANDINGS UPDATE
The Braves lead the NL East by five games over the Marlins. The Phillies are third in the NL East, eight games behind the Braves.
SportsTips’ MLB Pick:
Atlanta Braves (-150)
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