Nick Pivetta looks to stay hot as Phillies open crucial series in Atlanta

This evening, the Phillies will begin their third stretch of 17 games in 17 days this season. The Phillies have existed since 1883. They’ve never played 17 games in 17 days three times before July. And they’ll begin said stretch with perhaps their most important series of the 2019 season to date, as they head to Atlanta for a three game weekend series with the Braves, who now lead the National League East by a game-and-a-half.

The Phillies will hand the ball to Nick Pivetta, who has been excellent since returning from an early-season demotion to Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The 26-year-old has a 1.80 ERA in 20 innings since returning to the major league level, and he threw his first career complete game last Saturday against the Cincinnati Reds.

Pivetta, 26, is unlikely to top his last start, although the Phillies could use another strong performance from the right-hander, as the Braves will counter with LHP Max Fried, who has pitched like a front-line option for Brian Snitker’s squad thus far.

Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the Phillies series-opener with the Braves:

Phillies Lineup 

1. Jean Segura, shortstop
2. Bryce Harper, right field
3. J.T. Realmuto, catcher
4. Rhys Hoskins, first base
5. Jay Bruce, left field
6. Scott Kingery, center field
7. Sean Rodriguez, third base
8. Cesar Hernandez, second base
9. Nick Pivetta, pitcher

Opposing Lineup

1. Ronald Acuna Jr., center field
2. Dansby Swanson, second base
3. Freddie Freeman, first base
4. Josh Donaldson, third base
5. Nick Markakis, right field
6. Austin Riley, left field
7. Brian McCann, catcher
8. Ozzie Albies, second base
9. Max Fried, pitcher

Shibe Vintage Sports Starting Pitching Matchup

• Nick Pivetta (4-1, 4.93 ERA and 4.54 FIP) vs. Max Fried (7-3, 3.75 ERA and 3.86 FIP)
• In five career starts at SunTrust Park, Pivetta is 2-0 with a 2.88 ERA.
• Fried has a 6.89 ERA in his last three starts.

Pregame Phillies Nuggets

1. In his first 27 career games, Braves outfielder Austin Riley is slashing .290/.333/.617 with 10 home runs and 29 RBIs. He wasn’t yet at the major league level when the Phillies hosted the Braves in their first series of the 2019 season.
2. After hitting .327 in May, Cesar Hernandez is hitting just .116 with a .191 on-base percentage in June.
3. In 478 career at-bats against the Phillies, Brian McCann has 22 home runs and 82 RBIs.
4. While the Phillies aren’t expecting this type of output, Brad Miller, acquired Thursday evening, did hit 30 home runs and drive in 81 runs in 2016 while playing for the Tampa Bay Rays.
5. Ronald Acuna Jr., the reigning National League Rookie of the Year, is hitting .327 with four home runs and 14 RBIs in June.

Programming Information

• SunTrust Park
• 7:20 p.m. ET
• NBC Sports Philadelphia
• SportsRadio 94 WIP

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