Phillies & Braves series preview, pitching matchups

The Phillies and Braves resume their rivalry on Friday night with the start of a three-game series at Truist Park in Atlanta. The series opener with feature a pitching rematch of the second game of the season as Aaron Nola and Max Fried take to the mound. Neither starter pitched well in that initial contest as Nola took a loss after surrendering seven runs and failed to get out of the fifth inning, while Fried walked three, allowed three hits, and was lifted in opening frames.

 

The Braves won 19 of their first 26 games and were 1 1/2 games ahead of the Phillies through April 28, but have lost 31 of the 59 games that have followed. 

 

Where: Truist Park, Friday through Sunday.

 

Pitching matchups and start times: RHP Aaron Nola (9-4, 3.43) vs. LHP Max Fried (7-3, 2.91) Friday at 7:20 p.m.; LHP Ranger Suarez (10-2, 2.27) vs.  RHP Spencer Schwellenbach (1-4, 5.68) Saturday at 7:15 p.m.; RHP Michael Mercado (1--, 1.50) vs. RHP Reynaldo Lopez (6-2, 1.83) Sunday at 1:35 p.m.

Series: The Braves lead the season series, 2-1. The Braves also hold a significant lead in the all-time series, 1320-1199.

Braves Update (47-38): Atlanta has played .500 baseball over the last month (15-15) and enters this series having won just one of their last four contests. Marcell Ozuna has been the Braves' most productive player at the plate, posting a team-high 160 OPS+ to go along with 21 homers and 67 RBIs. Injuries have hampered the offense all season as Michael Harris II and Ronald Acuna Jr. are both sidelined, plus the club is without ace hurler Spencer Strider. The offense has also sputtered - the club is 0-27 since April 17 when surrendering four runs or more.

 

Phillies Update (57-30): The Phillies took two of three from the Cubs to open this road trip. Skipper Rob Thomson said Kyle Schwarber (groin) ran about 90% intensity prior to Thursday's game, so it's likely he'll return to the lineup when he's eligible to come off the IL on July 9. Thomson said Bryce Harper is running at about 70-75% intensity. He could return prior to the All-Star break.  Alec Bohm said Friday he will participate in the Home Run Derby on July 15.

 

Injuries: Braves -- 3B Brian Anderson (infection), LHP Ray Kerr (elbow), RHP Hurson Waldrep, RHP Huascar Ynoa, OF Michael Harris II (hamstring), RHP Jimmy Herget, LHP A.J. Minter, RHP A.J. Smith-Shawver, LHP Tyler Matzek, RHP Spencer Strider,  OF Ronald Acuna Jr. (knee) are on the injured list.

Phillies -- 1B Bryce Harper (hamstring), RHP Taijuan Walker (blister), RHP Spencer Turnbull (shoulder), DH Kyle Schwarber (groin), J.T. Realmuto (knee), RHP Michael Rucker (hand), and RHP Dylan Covey (shoulder).

 

Next: The Phillies have an off day on Monday before opening a three-game set with the Dodgers at Citizens Bank Park.