In the second of a three-game series between the Philadelphia Phillies (6-11) and the Atlanta Braves (6-11) at Citizens Bank Park, David Buchanan (0-3, 9.22 ERA) and Shelby Miller (2-0, 1.69 ERA) take the mound. The Phillies won the last game 1-0 and Philadelphia leads the series 1-0. The game starts at 7:05 p.m. ET on Saturday, Apr. 25 and will air on FSN-S and CSN-PHI.
Buchanan is 0-1 with a 4.00 ERA against the Braves in his career, and is up against a struggling Atlanta offense that’s hitting just .232 on the year. Freddy Galvis (.345, 4 Rs, 1 HR, 8 RBIs) played well again yesterday, going 3 for 4 with one run. In his career against the Phillies, Miller is 1-1 with a 3.38 ERA. He meets a less-than-stellar Philadelphia offense that’s batting just .215.
Philadelphia, a +120 underdog, will look to capitalize at home against Atlanta. The matchup currently has a seven-run Over/Under (O/U). The Phillies have a losing record of 5-9 when playing as the underdog and an overall money line of -491. Over the last 10 games, they have performed poorly when playing as the underdog (2-7). They typically aren’t overmatched by pitchers, ranking fifth in the NL with an average of only 7.6 strikeouts per game.
Moving on to the opposing team, the Braves come into this game with a solid win percentage of .667 when playing as the favorite (2-1) and an overall money line of +275. Against divisional foes, they are 6-6 SU and 2-1 as the favorite. Within their division, Atlanta’s offense has been struggling. Atlanta has averaged 3.5 runs per game, compared to 4.0 for the duration of the season. Atlanta has an eye for the strike zone, ranking 3.2 in the NL with fifth walks per game. The Braves are one of the top NL pitching staffs on the road, essentially shutting down opponents to the tune of three runs allowed per away game. They also allow just 7.7 hits per game, good for third in the NL.
The only other game between the two teams went Philadelphia’s way. The Phillies will take on a right-hander (Miller) in this game. They have struggled against right-handed starting pitchers this season, going 4-10. The right-handed Buchanan will take the mound against the Braves, who have a 6-6 record against righty starters this season.
Predictions: SU Winner – ATL, O/U – Under
Notes
In their last game, the Braves lost by a margin of one run. The Phillies are 2-2 in one-run games. The Braves have a 3-4 record in close games.
Atlanta recorded at least two errors for the second time this season.
When the Phillies play into extra innings, they have a 1-1 record. The Braves are 0-1 when their games exceed nine innings.
The Braves are coming into this game after allowing two walks during their last outing. The Phillies have a 3-7 record when opponents give up that many walks or fewer.
When they outhit their opponents, the Braves are 6-2. The Phillies have a 4-1 record when outhitting opponents.
Ranking 30th in runs, Philadelphia has earned 42 this season. Atlanta ranks 21st with 60 runs.
Ranking 23rd, Philadelphia is near the bottom of the league in walks, notching 41 this season. Atlanta ranks in the top half at 12th with 50.
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.
