Aaron Nola will make the start for the Phils in the opener, aiming to bounce back from a less than stellar outing this past Wednesday in Cincinnati where he surrendered five runs over four innings. He's been the Phillies best starter since just before the All-Star break, posting a 2.58 ERA over his last 15 starts.
The Braves counter tonight with righty Mike Foltynewicz who has struggled at times this year, pitching to the tune of a 5.28 ERA and just five wins.
Bryce Harper, who did not start on Sunday after being hit in the hand with a pitch on Saturday night, is expected to be back in the Phils starting lineup.
The Phillies enter play tonight two games behind the Cubs for the second National League Wild Card spot. It isn't just Chicago that the Phillies need to worry about though as both the Diamondbacks (1 1/2 games) and Brewers (2 games) remain in the hunt trailing the Cubs.
Per FanGraphs, the Phillies currently have a 4.7% chance of reaching the postseason.
“We know that we’ve been written off and we don’t care. We need to keep fighting and clawing for every last inch,” manager Gabe Kapler said this weekend. “We know that we’re being counted out and we understand that’s the sentiment. We don’t believe it.”
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