Aaron Harang (2-1, 1.96 ERA) and Alex Wood (1-0, 3.93 ERA) take the hill in the first of a three-game series between the Philadelphia Phillies (5-11) and the Atlanta Braves (8-7) at Citizens Bank Park. Action begins at 7:05 p.m. ET on Friday, Apr. 24 and can be seen on FSN-S and TCN-PHI.
Harang is 2-3 with a 4.21 ERA, 1.49 WHIP, and 46 strikeouts against the Braves. Cody Asche (.333, 4 Rs, 2 HRs, 3 RBIs) went 1 for 4 yesterday. Wood is 2-1 with a 2.57 ERA when pitching against the Phillies. He is up against a below-average Philadelphia offense which is hitting just .213 this season. Nick Markakis (.373, 9 Rs, 5 RBIs, 1 SB) has been successful at the plate for the Braves, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one run.
Atlanta is a narrow -109 favorite over Philadelphia. According to the oddsmakers, the Over/Under (O/U) is currently seven runs. The Phillies have recorded an overall money line of -391 and have shown a weak performance as an underdog this season with a record of 5-8. Philadelphia has recorded a disappointing 2-7 record as the underdog over its last 10 games. Philadelphia’s batters do not strike out very often, with only 7.6 per game.
Over in the other dugout, Atlanta is coming in with an overall money line of +375 and an impressive record of 2-1 as the favorite. They are 2-1 as the favorite against NL East foes, and 6-5 SU. Offensively, the Braves have really sputtered in division games. They have decreased their season average of 4.1 runs per game by averaging 3.5 in those contests. Atlanta is excellent at drawing walks with 3.4 per game, ranking fourth in the NL. Atlanta’s pitching staff is one of the top in the NL at pitching on the road, with a 3.47 ERA. When it comes to preventing batters from getting hits, the Braves are fourth in the NL with an average of 7.8 hits allowed per game.
Harang (RHP) will be on the hill against the Braves, who have a 6-5 record against right-handed starting pitchers.
Predictions: SU Winner – ATL, O/U – Under
Notes
For the sixth time this season, the Phillies registered at least two errors in a game.
The Phillies are 1-1 in games that go into extra innings. Meanwhile, the Braves are 0-1 in such matchups.
The Braves are coming off of a hot pitching game where they recorded 12 strikeouts. The Phillies have a record of 0-2 when they are struck out that many times or more.
When they outhit their opponents, the Phillies and the Braves both have winning records. Philadelphia has a 3-1 record in these situations while Atlanta is 6-2.
Ranking 30th in runs, Philadelphia has earned 41 this season. Atlanta ranks 19th with 60 runs.
Ranking 23rd, Philadelphia is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 39 this season. Atlanta ranks in the top half at 11th with 48.
The Phillies are 2-3 in games where they hit one or more home runs. The Braves are 4-5 when they hit at least one homer.
