Atlanta Braves vs Philadelphia Phillies Picks and Predictions August 22nd 2024

First pitch for Thursday’s Phillies vs Braves matchup is set for 7:08 PM ET from Truist Park in Atlanta. The Braves are the slight money line favorite, with their odds sitting at -112, while the Phillies are at -107. The over/under line is currently at 8 runs.

This NL East matchup features Cristopher Sanchez for the Phillies and Spencer Schwellenbach for the Braves. Philadelphia is currently 1st in the NL East with a record of 74-52, while the Braves are 2nd at 67-59.

Left-hander Cristopher Sánchez is getting the start for the Phillies today as he faces the Braves on the road. He has made 24 starts this season and has a record of 9-8 with a 3.46 ERA. Sánchez’s WHIP for the season is currently 1.25, and opponents are batting .253 off him this year. In his 24 appearances, Sánchez has turned in 13 quality starts, two complete games, and one shutout. His most recent outing was a good one, as he went nine innings, giving up just one earned run and picking up the win. Before that, he had allowed at least six earned runs in three straight starts.

Philadelphia comes into the game as one of the league’s top offensive teams, averaging 4.8 runs per game. They have been even better at home, averaging 5.3 runs per contest. As a team, they are batting .257, which is the 4th best mark in the league. The Phillies have also been good at avoiding strikeouts and are 6th in the league in walks.

Over his last five games, Trea Turner has gone 7/19 with four runs scored and one homer. For the season, he is batting .295 with 13 homers. Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper have also been big power threats for the Phillies, as Schwarber has 28 homers and Harper has 26. Alec Bohm has been the team’s top run producer so far, as his 85 RBIs are the best mark in the league.

Braves starter Spencer Schwellenbach comes into today’s game with a record of 4-6 and an ERA of 4.04. So far this year, he has made 13 starts, seven of which were quality starts. Schwellenbach’s WHIP for the season is currently 1.07, and he is averaging 10.11 strikeouts per nine innings. In his last outing, Schwellenbach took the loss, giving up three earned runs in five innings of work. Before that, he had turned in three straight solid outings, not giving up more than two earned runs in any of them.

Marcell Ozuna has been on a tear of late for the Braves, going 10/17 in his last five games with two homers and four RBIs. Ozuna is also on a six-game hitting streak and comes into the game batting .309 for the season, which is the best mark on the team. His 37 homers are the best mark on the team and 3rd in the league, and his 94 RBIs are 4th in the MLB.

As a team, the Braves are averaging 4.3 runs per game and are 4th in the league in home runs. So far, they have been a better offensive team on the road, averaging 4.5 runs per contest. Overall, they are batting .241 as a team, which is 12th in the league.

Phillies Look to Clinch Series Victory Against Braves with Cristopher Sanchez on the Mound

The Philadelphia Phillies are turning to left-hander Cristopher Sanchez as they aim to secure a series victory against the Atlanta Braves in the final game of their three-game set on Thursday. With both teams battling for crucial positions in the National League, this matchup could be a game-changer as the regular season winds down.

Cristopher Sanchez Aims to Build on Strong Performance

Cristopher Sanchez heads into this game riding high after delivering one of his best performances of the season. In his last outing, Sanchez pitched a complete game against the Washington Nationals, allowing just two hits and one run while striking out four. His efficiency was impressive, needing only 99 pitches to finish the game, including inducing 15 ground-ball outs—a clear sign of his command and ability to keep hitters off balance.

However, Sanchez faces a significant challenge against the Braves, a team he has struggled against in the past. In three career appearances (two starts) against Atlanta, Sanchez is 0-2 with a 4.73 ERA. But with the Phillies holding a seven-game lead in the National League East, Sanchez will be looking to flip the script and help Philadelphia extend its advantage.

Spencer Schwellenbach Looks to Steady the Braves

The Braves will counter with rookie right-hander Spencer Schwellenbach, who has shown potential but is coming off a tough loss to the Los Angeles Angels. Schwellenbach allowed three runs on four hits over five-plus innings in that outing, maintaining his usual composure but ultimately taking the loss.

Schwellenbach has faced the Phillies once before this season, earning a win in July after allowing just one run on seven hits over six innings. His ability to work ahead in counts and effectively mix his pitches will be crucial as he tries to keep the Phillies’ offense in check.

Phillies’ Offensive Woes Continue

The Phillies’ offense has been inconsistent, with the struggles of key players like Bryce Harper becoming a growing concern. Harper is 0-for-8 with four strikeouts in this series and 0-for-14 against the Braves this season, raising questions about his current form. Additionally, Alec Bohm, who had been a steady presence in the lineup, saw his streak of reaching base in 36 consecutive games come to an end on Wednesday.

However, a renewed rivalry between Harper and Atlanta’s Orlando Arcia could spark a resurgence for the Phillies’ star. Arcia’s staredown of Harper after a home run on Wednesday reignited tensions from last year’s NL Division Series, where Harper responded to similar provocations with a two-homer performance. This psychological battle could be a key storyline in the game.

Braves Face Bullpen Challenges

The Braves received some tough news with the announcement that left-handed reliever A.J. Minter will miss the rest of the season following hip surgery. Minter had been a reliable setup man, making 39 appearances with a 2.62 ERA. His absence could expose vulnerabilities in Atlanta’s bullpen, especially in close games where they need to protect leads late.

High Stakes for Both Teams

This game holds significant implications for both teams. The Phillies, with a comfortable seven-game cushion in the division, are looking to solidify their lead and build momentum heading into the postseason. Meanwhile, the Braves, now just 1.5 games ahead of the New York Mets for the final NL wild-card spot, desperately need a win to maintain their playoff position and avoid slipping further in the standings.

The pitching duel between Sanchez and Schwellenbach will be pivotal, but the outcome may also hinge on how the Phillies’ offense, particularly Bryce Harper, responds to their recent struggles and the renewed rivalry with Arcia. With so much at stake, this series finale is set to be an intense and thrilling contest.

Look for the Phillies to come out on top in this one, and we are leaning towards taking them on the money line. As for how we would play the over/under line, we would go with the over, as this is projected to be the 7th highest-scoring game of the day, and this one has the 5th highest home run projection. Atlanta starter Spencer Schwellenbach has the 12th best strikeout projection among today’s starters compared to 4th worst for Cristopher Sánchez.