Series Preview: Braves at Phillies, June 28-30
AP Photo/Gregory Bull
The Phillies will start a big NL East match-up vs. a red-hot Atlanta Braves team that has some big-time offensive playmaking abilities. It’ll be interesting to find out how this Phillies squad can handle it after coming off a successful road trip although getting swept versus the Texas Rangers. Zack Wheeler gets the start on Tuesday evening and Phillies fans have a lot of hope in him and we will see what he can do.
Last time they met
Back in late May, the Phillies split their series versus the Braves. The bats were a big effect for the Phillies back in the month of May but this time in the season, with no Bryce Harper, it’ll be a little harder to overcome victories against a vicious Braves lineup night in and night out. During that series, Wheeler got the start for the Phillies and had a stellar pitching performance in which he went 6 ⅔ strong innings with a season-high of ten strikeouts. This would be a huge start for the Phillies starting Tuesday as Wheeler will get going in the three-game series in Philadelphia.
It’ll be great to see the Phillies offense do what they did in the series finale out in San Diego. We will see what happens.
A challenge for the offense
Wednesday’s match-up versus Kyle Wright might be the most trouble with him being on target for his starts and having no Bryce Harper in the line-up, the Phillies could have a lot of trouble getting runners in scoring position but Kyle Schwarber, JT Realmuto, and Didi Gregorius all have to play impressive during that game. It might be a different story but it won’t look good for the Phillies since Kyle Wright has been phenomenal.
Eflin to IL, Harper needs surgery
Phillies fans found out on Twitter yesterday that Bryce Harper will have to get surgery on his thumb and we aren’t quite sure the amount of time for recovery. Also, we found out on Tuesday that Zach Eflin will be headed to the 15-day IL with a right knee bruise that has been bothering him.
Pitching matchups:
Game 1: Zach Wheeler (6-4, 2.77 ERA) vs. Charlie Morton (4-3, 4.84 ERA)
Game 2: Ranger Suarez (6-4, 4.23 ERA) vs. Kyle Wright (8-4, 3.18 ERA)
Game 3: Aaron Nola (4-5, 2.98 ERA) vs. Ian Anderson (6-4, 4.60 ERA)
Game times and broadcasts
Tuesday, June 28th at 7:05pm on NBC Sports Philadelphia and 94.1 WIP on radio
Wednesday, June 29th at 7:05pm on NBC Sports Philadelphia and on 94.1 WIP on radio
Thursday, June 30th at 6:05pm on NBC Sports Philadelphia, ESPN+, and on 94.1 WIP on radio
