The Atlanta Braves (101-61, 55-26 home) hope to bounce back in Game 2 of the NLDS against the Philadelphia Phillies (87-75, 40-41 away). Philadelphia took the opener in a surprise victory, knocking off the hosts 7-6 in the series opener.
The first pitch of Wednesday’s tilt is at 4:35 p.m. EST at Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. Atlanta is the betting favorite at -130, and the over/under total is set at seven runs.
What to Know – Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia knocked out the No. 3 seed St. Louis Cardinals in the Wild Card Series and now was the upper hand in the NLDS against the No. 2 seeded Braves. The Phillies got into the playoffs via the final wild-card spot.
The expected starter for the visitors is right-hander Zack Wheeler. Wheeler was sharp against the Cardinals in the series opener last Friday, firing 6.1 innings of shutout baseball. The veteran scattered a pair of hits, walked one, and struck out four batters.
When healthy, the Phillies’ lineup is one of the best in the major league. Kyle Schwarber blasted 46 home runs and drove in 94 runs, while Bryce Harper collected 65 RBIs over only 99 games played. Rhys Hoskins pounded 30 home runs, and catcher J.T. Realmuto tallied 22 dingers.
The Phillies were eighth in batting average during the regular season, hitting .253 as a team and scoring 4.6 runs per game. Philadelphia’s pitching staff finished 18th in the MLB with a 3.97 team earned run average.
What to Know – Atlanta Braves
The defending World Series champions tried to mount a ninth-inning comeback yesterday but fell one run short of accomplishing the goal. Atlanta is the No. 2 seed in the NL after winning their division.
Right-hander Kyle Wright is the probable starter for the Braves. The 27-year-old was solid during the regular season, posting a 21-5 record with a 3.19 ERA and 1.16 WHIP in his first full season as a starter. Wright wrapped up the regular season winning eight of nine starts and hasn’t lost a game since his first trip to the mound in September.
The Braves’ offense had numerous players step up during the regular season while some of its stars missed time. Three players, Matt Olsen, Dansby Swanson, and Austin Riley, all drove in 93 RBIs or more. Riley led the team swatting 38 home runs with Olsen right behind him at 34.
Atlanta finished ninth in league sporting a .253 team batting average while plating 4.9 runs per game. The Braves pitchers ranked fifth in the MLB with 3.46 team ERA.
The Pick is In
Wheeler looked sharp in Friday’s victory over the Cardinals, and he faces a Braves team that seems to struggle during day games. Atlanta was here before on their way to last year’s World Series win, but the Phillies are on a roll, and we will grab the plus-money.
The Pick: Philadelphia Phillies ML
