By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
ATLANTA — The Philadelphia Phillies (40-69) will take on veteran right-hander Julio Teheran and the Atlanta Braves (51-59) Tuesday evening in the first of a brief two-game series at SunTrust Park.
Despite right-hander Jake Thompson's turn in the rotation being up, he will not start as he was optioned Triple-A Lehigh Valley on August 4 after allowing seven runs (two earned) through two starts. Instead, right-hander Zach Eflin will start in his place for his first big league start since May 28, recalled from Triple-A. In a corresponding move, catcher Andrew Knapp (bruised right hand) was placed on the 10-day disabled list, according to Corey Seidman.
The Phillies are coming off of a 3-2 win in Sunday's series finale against the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field. The victory, led by catcher Cameron Rupp's two-run double in the ninth, helped the Phillies avoid their 70th loss and 10th series sweep. It was just the second blown save in 36 opportunities for Rockies closer Greg Holland. Right-hander Aaron Nola recorded his ninth consecutive quality start.
The Phillies — who own the worst record in the majors — trail the Braves by 10 1/2 games in the National League East standings. The last time both teams met, the Phillies notched a four-game sweep of their division rivals, July 28-31 at Citizens Bank Park. During the series, the Phillies outscored the Braves 23-13, but were outhit 39-38; right-hander Hector Neris recorded two wins and a save.
Overall, the Phillies have won nine of 11 meetings with the Braves this season. They have gone 12-17 against all other division opponents.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Philadelphia Phillies (40-69) | Atlanta Braves (51-59) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Zach Eflin | RHP | Julio Teheran | ||
| (0-3, 6.13 ERA) | (7-9, 5.10 ERA) | ||||
Eflin Career vs. ATL: 1-0, 1.13 ERA, 2 G, 2 GS, 16 IP, 9 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 HR, 0 BB, 9 SO, 0.563 WHIP
Eflin, 23, started eight games for the Phillies from April 18-May 28 as the fill-in for injured starter RHP Clay Buchholz (forearm surgery). Four of his first five outings were quality starts. Eflin surrendered at least seven runs in each of his last three, however, combining for a 13.20 ERA with 30 hits and 22 runs allowed through 15 innings.
As a result, Eflin was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on May 29. In nine minor league starts since — seven with the IronPigs and two with the GCL Phillies on a rehab stint — Eflin combined to go 0-4 with a 4.57 ERA and 40-12 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 45 1/3 innings. Opposing batters hit .277/.335/.393 over Eflin during this stretch with seven doubles, two triples and three home runs spanning 173 at-bats.
Eflin's first career start against the Braves resulted in his first major league victory and complete game, home on July 5 of last season. His only run surrendered was a seventh inning solo home run to former Phillie, center fielder Ender Inciarte. The right-hander last opposed Atlanta on April 23, again allowing just a solo home run (left fielder Matt Kemp) run through seven innings.
Teheran Career vs. PHI: 7-5, 3.39 ERA, 16 G, 15 GS, 98 1/3 IP, 87 H, 42 R, 37 ER, 9 HR, 20 BB, 77 SO, 1.088 WHIP
Teheran, 26, has surrendered seven home runs over his last three starts (16 innings) — including yielding one each to Rupp, left fielder Aaron Altherr and first baseman Tommy Joseph in the fifth inning during his most recent start against the Phillies on July 28. The right-hander suffered the losing decision that outing in the Braves' 10-3 defeat, allowing eight runs on seven hits, two walks and five strikeouts through 4 2/3 innings.
Since June 20, the right-hander has dropped five of his last six decisions after starting the season 6-4.
Starting Lineups:
| Philadelphia Phillies (40-69) | Atlanta Braves (51-59) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S | 1 | CF | Ender Inciarte | L |
| 2 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S | 2 | 3B | Brandon Phillips | R |
| 3 | LF | Daniel Nava | S | 3 | 1B | Freddie Freeman | L |
| 4 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R | 4 | RF | Nick Markakis | L |
| 5 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L | 5 | C | Kurt Suzuki | R |
| 6 | 1B | Tommy Joseph | R | 6 | LF | Matt Adams | L |
| 7 | RF | Nick Williams | L | 7 | SS | Johan Camargo | S |
| 8 | C | Cameron Rupp | R | 8 | 2B | Ozzie Albies | S |
| 9 | P | Zach Eflin | R | 9 | P | Julio Teheran | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 7:35 p.m.
- TV: CSN
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game Notes:
- The Phillies are 2-2 all-time at SunTrust Park, splitting their inaugural series at the venue from June 5-8.
- Injury Report:
- OF Altherr (strained right hamstring), possible mid-August return
- C Knapp (bruised right hand), day-to-day
- RHP Pedro Beato (strained left hamstring), out indefinitely
- RHP Casey Fien (rotator cuff strain), out indefinitely
- RHP Buchholz (forearm surgery), possible September return
- LHP Ian Krol (strained oblique), out indefinitely
- OF Kemp (right hamstring strain), possible early August return
- RHP Armando Rivero (right shoulder inflammation), out indefinitely
- 3B Adonis Garcia (sprained left ring finger), possible mid-August return
- RHP Daniel Winkler (right elbow fracture), out indefinitely
- LHP Jacob Lindgren (Tommy John surgery, left elbow), possible 2018 return
- Phillies
- Braves
- In 24 career at-bats against Teheran, Phillies shortstop Freddy Galvis has eight singles, one double, one triple, one RBI, three walks and two strikeouts (.417/.481/.542). Rupp has gone 9-24 with two doubles, a home run and three RBIs (.375/.400/.583).
What's Next:
- Wednesday, August 9, 2017: at Atlanta Braves, 7:35 p.m.
- SunTrust Park
- RHP Jerad Eickhoff (2-7, 4.56 ERA) vs. LHP Sean Newcomb (1-6, 4.61 ERA)
- TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
