Nola opposes Keuchel as Phillies open series in Atlanta

The Philadelphia Phillies (44-40) probably remember their last trip to Atlanta (50-35) to face the Braves in June. The Phils came into SunTrust Park at 38-30 and the Braves stood at 40-29. During game one of the series, Philadelphia led 7-2, but imploded to lose 9-8.

In game two, they salvaged a win in the later innings, but didn’t show up in an embarrassing 15-1 loss. Since that series, the Phillies have gone 5-8 while the Braves won eight of 13, leaving the Phils 5.5 games out of first place in the National League East. Philadelphia is coming off a series losing two of three in Miami. The Braves won two of three from the Mets over the weekend.

One thing going the Phillies’ way into the opening game of the series is Aaron Nola. He’s had trouble producing consistent results, but his last two starts have shown displays of 2018 Nola. He’s lowed his ERA 33 points over his last two outings. In 15 innings, Nola has surrendered just one earned run on seven hits while striking out 20 and walking just two against the Marlins and Mets. He’s shown better command of his fastball into the later innings, which was something he has had trouble with regularly this season.

The heart of the Phillies lineup has still had some issues producing over the last week. Rhys Hoskins has just three hits in his last 20 at-bats and Bryce Harper is just 5-for-21. J.T. Realmuto has shown some signs of life, though, hitting .333 over his last 21 at-bats with two doubles.

Phillies Lineup

1. Scott Kingery (CF)
2. Jean Segura (SS)
3. Bryce Harper (RF)
4. Rhys Hoskins (1B)
5. J.T. Realmuto (C)
6. Jay Bruce (LF)
7. Cesar Hernandez (2B)
8. Maikel Franco (3B)
9. Aaron Nola (P)

Braves Lineup 

1. Ronald Acuna Jr.(CF)
2. Dansby Swanson (SS)
3. Freddie Freeman (1B)
4. Josh Donaldson (3B)
5. Nick Markakis (RF)
6. Austin Riley (LF)
7. Brian McCann (C)
8. Ozzie Albies (2B)
9. Dallas Keuchel (P)

Shibe Vintage Sports Starting Pitching Matchup

• Aaron Nola (6-2, 4.22 ERA) vs. Dallas Keuchel (1-1, 5.06 ERA)
• Nola has faced the Braves twice this season. His first start was a part of their opening series with the Braves at the end of May. He allowed a run on two hits over six innings as part of a 10-4 win. His last start against them wasn’t as great, giving up five runs in 4.1 innings.
• Keuchel signed with the Braves at the beginning of June and he’s made two starts thus far. His last time out, he gave up three wins on eight hits in a win against the Chicago Cubs. He’s only faced the Phillies twice in his career, going 1-0 with a 0.73 ERA.

Pregame Phillies Nuggets

• The Phillies are 8-14 since the opening of SunTrust Park in Atlanta. Over the past two seasons, they are 3-10.
• Atlanta went 20-8 during the month of June, their best calendar month since August 2013. The Phillies, meanwhile, went 11-16 while the Nationals went 18-8 and enter July 1.5 games behind Philadelphia.
• The Phillies and Braves play each other six times during the month of July.
• Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto will be their lone representative at this year’s All-Star Game. The starting backstop is slashing .265/.319/.431 and he ranks second among MLB catchers in WAR (2.9). He’s thrown out 47 base stealers, which leads the majors.
• Braves 21-year-old right-hander Mike Soroka heads to this year’s Midsummer Classic in Cleveland as the youngest player to earn an All-Star selection in Atlanta. Freddie Freeman and Ronald Acuna Jr. will start for the National League.
• Philly.com’s Scott Lauber reports that Odubel Herrera‘s administrative leave has been extended. He is due in Atlantic City Municipal Court on Wednesday.

Programming Information

• 7:20 p.m. on Tuesday, July 2 at SunTrust Park
• NBC Sports Philadelphia
• SportsRadio 94 WIP