By Brandon Apter, Sports Talk Philly editor 
Atlanta, GA – The Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves square-off in game three of their four-game series at Turner Field in Atlanta tonight. The Phils took the first game, 7-5, on Thursday thanks to home runs from Maikel Franco, Tommy Joseph and Aaron Altherr. On Friday, Braves rookie Tyrell Jenkins stymied the Phillies bats, leading Atlanta to a 2-1 win. After the first two games of the series, both teams hold a .240 batting average on the season.
This evening's game comes two days before the Major League Baseball non-waiver trade deadline on August 1. In addition to tonight's Phillies starter, Jeremy Hellickson, garnering interest from multiple teams, talks have reportedly heated up in the last few days between the Phillies and Rangers regarding 24-year-old right-hander Vince Velasquez.
Opposing Jeremy Hellickson tonight will be Julio Teheran, who has a strong career track record against the Phillies and is also the center of some Braves trade rumors. First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Philadelphia Phillies (47-58) | Atlanta Braves (36-67) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Jeremy Hellickson | RHP | Julio Teheran | ||
| (7-7, 3.65 ERA) | (3-8, 2.71 ERA) | ||||
Jeremy Hellickson has been a stable arm in the Phillies rotation this season and July has been his best month yet. In five starts, spanning 32 innings, the 28-year-old righty is 2-1 with a 1.97 ERA. Over his last 14 innings, he's allowed just one run and he's held opposing teams to one run or less in five of his last six starts. Hellickson faced the Braves back on July 6 in Philadelphia, tossing six innings, allowing two runs, one earned.
Braves starter Julio Teheran is coming into tonight's matchup without allowing a run in four of his past six starts. That may not bode well for the Phillies, as Teheran has had their number throughout his career. In 12 games against the Phils, 11 of which were starts, he's 6-3 with a 2.29 ERA. Tonight will be the first time Teheran sees the Phillies this season. Freddy Galvis is 6-for-14 against Teheran while Maikel Franco is 3-for-8 with a double.
Starting Lineups:
| Philadelphia Phillies (47-58) | Atlanta Braves (36-67) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S | 1 | LF | Jace Peterson | L |
| 2 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L | 2 | 2B | Gordon Beckham | R |
| 3 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R | 3 | 1B | Freddie Freeman | L |
| 4 | 1B | Ryan Howard | L | 4 | RF | Nick Markakis | L |
| 5 | RF | Aaron Altherr | R | 5 | 3B | Adonis Garcia | R |
| 6 | C | Cameron Rupp | R | 6 | CF | Ender Inciarte | L |
| 7 | LF | Cody Asche | L | 7 | SS | Erick Aybar | S |
| 8 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S | 8 | C | Anthony Recker | R |
| 9 | P | Jeremy Hellickson | R | 9 | P | Julio Teheran | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 7:10 p.m.
- TV: NBC 10
- Radio: 94 WIP
What's Next:
- Sunday, July 31st, 2016: at Atlanta Braves, 7:10 p.m.
- Miami, Fl – Marlins Park
- RHP Jerad Eickhoff (6-12, 3.83 ERA) vs. TBD
- TV: CSN, MLB.TV; Radio: 94 WIP
