By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
Behind ace RHP Aaron Nola, the Philadelphia Phillies (44-40) will open their second of a three-series, nine-game road trip leading up to the All-Star break Tuesday evening opposite the division-leading Atlanta Braves (50-35) at SunTrust Park. Nola will oppose the Braves' recently signed Dallas Keuchel, a two-time All-Star, four-time Gold Glove Award winner, 2015 American League Cy Young Award winner and 2017 World Series champion.
The Phillies have won five of their last seven games, outscoring opponents 52-40. The club is just 8-14 all-time at SunTrust Park, however, including 1-2 this season (2017: 5-4, 2018: 2-8).
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Philadelphia Phillies (44-40) | Atlanta Braves (50-35) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Aaron Nola | LHP | Dallas Keuchel | ||
| (6-2, 4.22 ERA) | (1-1, 5.06 ERA) | ||||
RHP Aaron Nola, Age: 26
- Career vs. ATL: 8-3, 2.46 ERA, 14 G, 14 GS, 87 2/3 IP, 69 H, 27 R, 24 ER, 6 HR, 25 BB, 72 SO, 1.072 WHIP
- Career at SunTrust Park: 1-2, 3.34 ERA, 5 G, 5 GS, 29 2/3 IP, 22 H, 11 R, 11 ER, 3 HR, 6 BB, 21 SO, 0.944 WHIP
Nola has shown signs of returning to his former Cy Young Award-caliber self. Over his last two starts, he has allowed just one earned run through 15 innings, while striking out 20 batters and allowing just two walks. The right-hander last opposed the Braves on June 15, also at SunTrust Park, where he allowed five runs and two home runs through just 4 1/3 innings.
LHP Dallas Keuchel, Age: 31
- Career vs. PHI: 1-0, 0.73 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 12 1/3 IP, 10 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 HR, 5 BB, 4 SO, 1.216 WHIP
- Career at SunTrust Park: N/A
Keuchel will make his 195th career appearance — first-ever at SunTrust Park and third as a member of the Atlanta Braves overall since signing a one-year, $13 million contract on June 7. The Phillies offseason free agent target has allowed three runs in each of his first two starts with the Braves, tossing no more than 5 2/3 innings.
Starting Lineups:
| Philadelphia Phillies (44-40) | Atlanta Braves (50-35) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | CF | Scott Kingery | R | 1 | CF | Ronald Acuna Jr. | R |
| 2 | SS | Jean Segura | R | 2 | SS | Dansby Swanson | R |
| 3 | RF | Bryce Harper | L | 3 | 1B | Freddie Freeman | L |
| 4 | 1B | Rhys Hoskins | R | 4 | 3B | Josh Donaldson | R |
| 5 | C | J.T. Realmuto | R | 5 | RF | Nick Markakis | L |
| 6 | LF | Jay Bruce | L | 6 | LF | Austin Riley | R |
| 7 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S | 7 | C | Brian McCann | L |
| 8 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R | 8 | 2B | Ozzie Albies | S |
| 9 | P | Aaron Nola | R | 9 | P | Dallas Keuchel | L |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 7:20 p.m.
- TV: NBCSP
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game Notes:
- The Phillies enter Tuesday's MLB action tied with the Colorado Rockies for the second National League Wild Card spot. If the Phillies were to sweep the Braves in their current three-game road series, they would be just 2 1/2 games behind their rivals in the National League East.
- Phillies third baseman Maikel Franco has a seven-game hitting streak, slashing .423/.483/.808 with seven runs scored, 11 hits, three home runs, eight RBI, three walks and four strikeouts spanning 26 at-bats. Over the last two weeks, since June 18, Franco has slugged four extra-base hits and has struck out just five times spanning 35 plate appearances.
- The Phillies are 4-2 against the Braves this season, but in their most recent series, they went 1-2 — outscored 29-15 and outhit 41-23.
- Phillies shortstop Jean Segura is 9-for-31 in his career against Keuchel with a double, two solo home runs, walk and four strikeouts (click to expand).
What's Next:
- Wednesday, July 3, 2019: at Atlanta Braves, 7:20 p.m.
- SunTrust Park, Atlanta, Ga.
- RHP Nick Pivetta (4-2, 5.63 ERA) vs. RHP Bryse Wilson (0-0, 8.31 ERA)
- TV: NBCSP; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
