The Atlanta Braves (31-21, 14-14 home) and the Philadelphia Phillies (25-27, 11-17 away) close out the four-game series with a primetime contest on ESPN’s Sunday Night Baseball. Philadelphia owns a 2-1 advantage in the series after winning the last two games.
The first pitch of the series finale is at 7:00 p.m. EST inside Truist Park in Atlanta, Georgia. Atlanta is a heavy betting favorite (-265 moneyline), while the over/under total is 8.5 runs.
What to Know – Philadelphia Phillies
Philadelphia has won three of its last four games and can climb further up the standings with a win on Sunday night. The Phillies are six games behind the Braves in the NL East but just a 1.5-games outside of second place.
The Phillies turn to right-hander Dylan Covey (0-0, 3.00 ERA, 1.33 WHIP) to close out the series. Covey was added to the Phillies roster last week after being claimed off waivers from the Los Angeles Dodgers. The 31-year-old dazzled in his first start, firing five innings, allowing one earned run on five hits and one walk while striking out six batters.
Offensively, the Phillies are tenth amongst league teams with a .258 team batting average while scoring 4.3 runs per game. Philadelphia’s pitching staff ranks 23rd in the majors with a 4.54 team earned run average.
The Philadelphia lineup from top to bottom can supply offensive production for the Phillies. Alec Bohm leads the team with 37 runs batted in while Kyle Schwarber is the only player in the lineup with double-digit home runs (12). Nick Castellanos leads the team with 34 runs scored and a .300 batting average.
What to Know – Atlanta Braves
Atlanta opened the series with a victory but has since dropped the last two games. The Braves remain in a comfortable position in the division with a 4.5-game lead over the New York Mets and Miami Marlins.
Righty Spencer Strider (4-2, 2.97 ERA, 1.04 WHIP) is the probable starter for the hosts. Strider has been one of the best pitchers in the majors this year, following up a solid rookie campaign. The 24-year-old has surrendered 19 earned runs over 57.2 innings on 39 hits and 21 walks while generating 97 strikeouts.
The offense for Atlanta is 13th in the league hitting .255 as a team and scoring 5.1 runs per contest. The pitching staff for the Braves is fourth in the MLB sporting a 3.66 team ERA.
Like the Phillies’ offense, the Braves have producers at any point in their lineup. Ronald Acuna Jr. leads the way for Atlanta with a .322 batting average, 11 home runs, 27 RBIs, and 46 runs scored. Matt Olson and Sean Murphy are tied with a team-best 37 RBIs a piece.
The Pick is In
Atlanta can even the series with a victory, and the Braves have the right man on the mound to get it done. With Strider on the mound and the Braves offense getting it done, we like Atlanta to send the Phillies home with a loss.
The Pick: Atlanta Braves -1.5
