The Atlanta Braves (72-60, 59-73 RL, 50-77-5 O/U) are set to face off against the Philadelphia Phillies (78-54, 67-65 RL, 61-65-6 O/U) in the opening match of a four-game series on Thursday evening. Atlanta will send Charlie Morton to the mound, while Philadelphia counters with Cris Sanchez. So far this season, the Braves have taken the edge in the matchup, leading with a 6-3 record.
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Charlie Morton Aims for Consistency
Charlie Morton will take the mound for the Braves on Thursday. In his last start, he allowed two runs over 5.2 innings against the Nationals, resulting in a no-decision. Morton has displayed strong form recently, allowing two or fewer runs in three of his past four starts. This season, he holds a 4.24 ERA and a 1.30 WHIP, along with a 7-7 record in 131.2 innings pitched. However, he has not faced the Phillies yet this year and has struggled historically against them, recording a 4.81 ERA and a 5-7 record in 97.1 career innings.
The Braves have shown resilience, winning four of their last five series. After a brief dip out of a wildcard spot earlier in the month, they have recovered and currently sit three games ahead of the Mets. They recently secured a series victory against the Nationals and completed a sweep of the Minnesota Twins, putting them five games over .500 on the road.
With injuries to players like Arcia and Riley, the Braves are relying heavily on Travis d’Arnaud for offensive support. The veteran catcher has tallied 14 home runs and 46 RBIs, boasting a .785 OPS this season. However, he has struggled against the Phillies, managing just two RBIs and a .415 OPS in their matchups.
Atlanta’s offense averages 4.33 runs per game, ranking them 15th overall, while their pitching staff shines with a 3.65 ERA, placing them third in the league.
Cris Sanchez Seeks Redemption
Cris Sanchez will be on the mound for the Phillies. In his last outing against the Braves, he gave up three runs on nine hits across six innings, leading to a loss. This month has been more challenging for Sanchez, as he carries a 4.21 ERA in August. Overall, he has a 3.51 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP, with a record of 9-9 over 146.1 innings this season. Sanchez has struggled against the Braves historically, posting a 4.66 ERA and an 0-3 record in 19.1 innings.
The Phillies are in a strong position, holding a six-game lead over the Braves in the division. They have recently found their rhythm, winning two of three against the Royals and also securing a series win against the Astros. Philadelphia boasts a solid 21-game advantage over .500 at home.
JT Realmuto, while having a mixed season, is starting to heat up, collecting 10 RBIs in his last eight games. He has hit 10 home runs and driven in 36 RBIs, with a .740 OPS this season. Notably, Realmuto has performed well against the Braves, contributing three RBIs and a commendable .881 OPS in their matchups.
As a team, Philadelphia scores an average of 4.88 runs per game, ranking them fifth overall, and their pitching staff has a solid 3.66 ERA, placing them fourth in the league.
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Best Bets for Atlanta Braves vs. Philadelphia Phillies
The Atlanta Braves are gaining momentum, having won five of their last six games. However, they have faced difficulties against the Philadelphia Phillies this season, with a record of 3-6 in their nine meetings. This series presents a significant opportunity for the Braves to challenge the Phillies for the top spot in the division.
Charlie Morton has shown consistency on the mound, allowing two or fewer runs in three of his last four appearances. On the other hand, Cris Sanchez has struggled against the Braves, with a 4.66 ERA and an 0-1 record in his career against them. The Phillies have also faced setbacks in four of Sanchez’s last six outings.
