By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
PHILADELPHIA — The Philadelphia Phillies (60-73) will open their final home series against the National League-worst Atlanta Braves (51-83) as veteran RHP Jeremy Hellickson opposes rookie RHP Joel De La Cruz, who will make his ninth career big league start Friday evening at Citizens Bank Park.
While the Braves have won three consecutive games, they have lost 39 of 68 games on the road and 30 of 51 games against National League East opponents this season. The Phillies have defeated the Braves four straight times at home, outscoring their opposition, 22-6.
Over 40 career plate appearances against De La Cruz, active members of the Phillies are batting .316/.333/.684 with six doubles, one triple, two home runs, one walk and six RBIs.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Atlanta Braves (51-83) | Philadelphia Phillies (60-73) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Joel De La Cruz | LHP | Jeremy Hellickson | ||
| (0-7, 4.66 ERA) | (10-8, 3.80 ERA) | ||||
Joel De La Cruz — Age: 27;
- Last Start: August 26, 2016, at SFG: L, 4.0 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 3 ER, 2 SO, HR
- Last Five Starts: (0-4), 24.2 IP, 27 H, 18 R, 15 ER, 11 BB, 14 SO, 4 HR, 5.47 ERA
- Career vs. PHI: (0-1), 3 G, 11.0 IP, 12 H, 7 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 4 SO, 2 HR, 3.27 ERA
- Career at CBP: (0-1), 1 G, 6.0 IP, 9 H, 7 R, 4 ER, 4 SO, 2 HR, 6.00 ERA
Jeremy Hellickson — Age: 29;
- Last Start: August 27, 2016, at NYM: L, 4.0 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 3 BB, 4 SO, 2 HR
- Last Five Starts: (3-1), 28.1 IP, 32 H, 14 R, 14 ER, 8 BB, 24 SO, 4 HR, 4.45 ERA
- Career vs. ATL: (1-0), 2 G, 11.2 IP, 13 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 5 SO, 3.09 ERA
- 2016 vs. ATL: (1-0), 2 G, 11.2 IP, 13 H, 5 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 5 SO, 3.09 ERA
- Career at CBP: (5-4), 13 G, 78.1 IP, 75 H, 35 R, 31 ER, 14 BB, 74 SO, 11 HR, 3.56 ERA
Starting Lineups:
| Atlanta Braves (51-83) | Philadelphia Phillies (60-73) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | CF | Ender Inciarte | L | 1 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S |
| 2 | 3B | Adonis Garcia | R | 2 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L |
| 3 | 1B | Freddie Freeman | L | 3 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R |
| 4 | LF | Matt Kemp | R | 4 | 1B | Ryan Howard | L |
| 5 | RF | Nick Markakis | L | 5 | RF | Aaron Altherr | R |
| 6 | C | Tyler Flowers | R | 6 | LF | Darin Ruf | R |
| 7 | 2B | Jace Peterson | L | 7 | SS | Freddy Galvis | S |
| 8 | SS | Gordon Beckham | R | 8 | C | A.J. Ellis | R |
| 9 | P | Joel De La Cruz | R | 9 | P | Jeremy Hellickson | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 7:05 p.m.
- TV: CSN
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Standings:
| Updated: Sept. 2, 2016 | |||||
| NL EAST | W | L | GB | RS | RA |
| Nationals | 78 | 55 | — | 640 | 499 |
| Mets | 69 | 65 | 9.5 | 527 | 520 |
| Marlins | 68 | 66 | 10.5 | 554 | 548 |
| Phillies | 60 | 73 | 18.0 | 492 | 636 |
| Braves | 51 | 83 | 27.5 | 509 | 659 |
| NL WILD CARD | W | L | GB | RS | RA |
| Giants | 72 | 61 | +1.5 | 597 | 535 |
| Cardinals | 70 | 62 | — | 650 | 571 |
| Mets | 69 | 65 | 2.0 | 527 | 520 |
| Pirates | 67 | 64 | 2.5 | 593 | 585 |
| Marlins | 68 | 66 | 3.0 | 554 | 548 |
| Rockies | 64 | 69 | 6.5 | 709 | 685 |
| Phillies | 60 | 73 | 10.5 | 492 | 636 |
What's Next:
- Saturday, Sept. 3, 2016: vs. Atlanta Braves, 7:05 p.m.
- Citizens Bank Park
- RHP John Gant (1-3, 4.59 ERA) vs. RHP Vince Velasquez (8-6, 4.21 ERA)
- TV: CSN; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
