Atlanta begins series at home against Phillies
Posted September 20, 2018 1:10 am.
Last Updated September 20, 2018 1:40 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
Philadelphia Phillies (78-73, second in NL East) vs. Atlanta Braves (84-68, first in NL East)
Atlanta; Thursday, 7:35 p.m. Eastern
PROBABLE PITCHERS: Phillies: Vince Velasquez (9-11, 4.50 ERA, 1.29 WHIP, 156 strikeouts) Braves: Kevin Gausman (10-10, 3.92 ERA, 1.30 WHIP, 135 strikeouts)
BOTTOM LINE: Atlanta and Philadelphia begin a four-game series. The Braves come into the matchup with a five and a half-game lead over the Phillies in the NL East. Atlanta pitchers are holding opponents to just a .232 batting average this season. The Phillies have gone 12-16 in Velasquez’s starts this year. Philadelphia pitchers are averaging 9.1 strikeouts per nine innings, Jerad Eickhoff leads the staff with a mark of 18.0. In their last meeting on May 23, Jake Arrieta earned the win in a 4-0 victory for the Phillies.
TOP PERFORMERS: Rhys Hoskins has 85 runs and 92 RBIs for the Phillies this year. Aaron Altherr has two home runs and five RBIs while slugging .773 over his past 10 games for Philadelphia. Freddie Freeman has 92 runs and 92 RBIs for the Braves this season. Ronald Acuna has two home runs and six RBIs while slugging .634 over his past 10 games for Atlanta.
LAST 10 GAMES: Phillies: 4-6, .236 batting average, 4.40 ERA, outscored opponents by four runs. Braves: 6-4, .246 batting average, 4.60 ERA.
BRAVES INJURIES: The Atlanta Braves placed LHP Luiz Gohara on the 60-day disabled list with left shoulder soreness on Friday.
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The Associated Press created this story using technology provided by HERO Sports, and data from Sportradar.
