The Phillies and Braves have split the first two games of their series and head into tonight's finale with momentum after a 5-0 shutout victory on Tuesday night. Rookie starter Aaron Nola rebounded from what was his worst start as a big leaguer and tossed seven scoreless frames, scattering six hits while striking out seven and walking one. Leading 2-0 in the eighth, the Phillies tacked on some insurance courtesy of a three-run homer off the bat of Odubel Herrera.
The Phillies and Braves conclude their series tonight before meeting once again, this time in Atlanta, during the weekend of September 18th.
Starting Pitching Match-up:
| Atlanta Braves (55-84) | Philadelphia Phillies (54-85) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Julio Teheran | RHP | David Buchanan | ||
| 9-7, 4.51 ERA | 2-7, 9.00 ERA | ||||
The Phillies will go with David Buchanan tonight as the 26-year-old right-hander returns the rotation after spending the better part of August in Triple-A with the Ironpigs. After securing a spot in the rotation prior to the season, Buchanan's performance had him flip-flopping between the big leagues and the minors. He has plenty of success in Lehigh Valley this season, going 5-2 with a 2.54 ERA in 12 starts. Buchanan has started two games against the Braves in 2015, posting a record of 1-1 to go along with an ERA of 3.86 (6 ER in 14 IP). His last Major League start didn't last long back on August 11th. He allowed 11 runs in just 1 2/3 innings, prompting the Phillies to send him back to Triple-A shortly afterwards. Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman is 3-for-12 in his career against Buchanan with a home run and two RBI's. In four career starts against the Braves, Buchanan has a 3.91 ERA.
The Braves will counter with 24-year-old right-hander Julio Teheran. In two starts this season against the Phillies, Teheran has allowed just two earned runs in 14 innings. He was the hard luck loser in his last start in a 5-2 defeat to the Nationals. In six innings, he gave up just one run on five hits. Phillies third baseman Cody Asche is 4-for-15 in his career against Teheran with a double, home run and four RBI's. Ryan Howard has two home runs and two RBI's in 21 career at-bats against the Braves righty. Teheran has posted six quality starts over his last seven outings. In nine career starts against the Phillies, he's 5-3 with a 2.54 ERA.
| Atlanta Braves (55-84) | Philadelphia Phillies (54-85) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | RF | Nick Markakis | L | 1 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | s |
| 2 | 3B | Hector Olivera | R | 2 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L |
| 3 | 1B | Freddie Freeman | L |
3 |
RF | Aaron Altherr | R |
| 4 | LF | Nick Swisher | S | 4 | 1B | Ryan Howard | L |
| 5 | 2B | Jace Peterson | L | 5 | LF | Darnell Sweeney | S |
| 6 | SS | Andrelton Simmons | R | 6 | 3B | Cody Asche | L |
| 7 | C | Christian Bethancourt | R | 7 | C | Cameron Rupp | R |
| 8 | CF | Michael Bourn | L | 8 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S |
| 9 | P | Julio Teheran | R | 9 | P | David Buchanan | R |
Game Notes:
- After 10 big-league starts, Aaron Nola is 6-2 with a 3.56 ERA. Remove last week’s start against the Mets and he’s 6-1 with a 2.86 ERA.
- Ryan Howard went 0-for-4 on Tuesday. He's gone hitless in his last 25 at-bats.
- According to CSNPhilly.com, rookie third baseman Maikel Franco plans to test out his wrist on Wednesday. If he still feels discomfort, a return will be highly unlikely in 2015.
- The Phillies, in sole possession of the worst record in baseball, have lost 11 of their last 15 games.
- The Braves have lost 20 of their last 22 games and haven't won consecutive games since early August. A win tonight would secure their first series victory since August 14-16 against Arizona and first road series win since July 6-8.
- The Phillies released their 2016 schedule on Tuesday. They open the season in Cincinnati on April 4th. Their home opener will be on April 11th against the Padres.
- Former Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon took the loss in last night's 8-7 defeat at the hands of the first place Mets. New York stormed back from a six-run deficit and now lead the NL East by six games over Washington.
- Double-A Reading and Short Season Williamsport both begin postseason play tonight on the road. Advanced 'A' Clearwater was shutout 3-0 in their series opener on Tuesday.
- Odubel Herrera has eight homers and 40 RBI's and leads the Phillies with a .302 batting average.
Broadcast Information:
Gametime: 7:05pm EST
Location: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Weather: 86 degrees, mostly cloudy, 0% chance of rain
TV: CSN
Radio: 94 WIP, 1210 WPHT, WTTM 1680
Brandon Apter, Publishing Editor for Philliedelphia.com
