Aaron Harang (5-14, 4.89 ERA) and the Philadelphia Phillies (53-84) meet Williams Perez (4-6, 5.65 ERA) and the Atlanta Braves (54-83) in the first of a three-game division series at Citizens Bank Park. The Braves go into this series looking to snap a 12-game losing streak. The game gets underway at 7:05 p.m. ET on Monday, Sep. 7 and will air on CSPh and SPSO.
In his most recent outing, Harang pitched 4.2 innings, allowing four runs, striking out four and walking one in a 14-8 loss to the Mets. The Braves were unsuccessful to the Marlins 7-3 the last time Perez pitched. He went 5.0 innings, giving up four runs (two unearned) and walking one. Juan Uribe (.249, 35 Rs, 13 HRs, 38 RBIs, 2 SBs) went 1 for 3 yesterday.
Philadelphia is a -134 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at eight runs. The Phillies are 5-7 as the favorite and have an overall money line of -748. They have done well as the favorite in games (0-0), but performed poorly SU (3-7) against their division opponents. Over their past 10 games, Philadelphia’s offense has been playing lights out, averaging 5.0 runs per game, well over their season average of 3.9. Don’t expect the Philadelphia hitters to swing wildly. They average only 7.6 strikeouts per game. Philadelphia’s pitching staff will be looking to pick it up in this one after recent struggles. The Phillies have given up an average of 6.7 runs to opponents in their last 10 games, above their season average of 5.1 runs per game.
Moving on to the away team, the Braves come into this game with a weak win percentage of .370 when playing as the underdog (40-68) and an overall money line of -1,894. Recently, opponents have been able to handle Atlanta with ease. Over the past 10 matchups, they have not won a game and have a 0-7 record when they were an underdog to win. The Braves will be looking to pick it up in this one after recent offensive struggles. In their 10 most recent games, Atlanta’s run production has dropped to 2.3 runs per game, compared to 3.9 for the duration of the season. The Braves are known for their bats, hitting a league-leading 318 extra base hits. Opposing pitchers have routinely struggled to strike out the Atlanta batters, who average an NL-low 6.9 strikeouts per game. The last 10 games have really brought the worst out of the Atlanta pitchers. They allowed 9.0 runs per game during that span, which is higher than their season average of 4.8.
The Phillies have mostly come out on top against the Braves in their previous 13 games this season, earning a 7-6 record. This game will feature Perez (RHP) on the mound against the Phillies, who have a 40-65 record when they take on a right-handed starter. Taking the hill against the Braves will be the right-hander Harang. They sport a 45-65 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – Phi, O/U – Under
Notes
For the 15th time this season, the Braves registered at least two errors in a game.
The Phillies managed to give up five walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Braves who are coming in with a 15-16 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Braves are 10-59. The Phillies have an 18-63 record when opponents outhit them.
Atlanta ranks at the bottom of the league when it comes to home runs, hitting 83 this season. Philadelphia ranks near the bottom at 28th with 106.
Ranking 11th, Atlanta is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 8.40 per game. Philadelphia ranks in the top 10 at sixth with 8.66.
Ranking 30th, Atlanta is at the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.672). Philadelphia ranks near the bottom at 27th with an OPS of .690.
The Braves are 21-61 when they allow at least one home run. The Phillies perform similarly when they allow one or more homers with a 25-63 record.
