By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
Two of the National League (NL)'s top three teams — the Philadelphia Phillies (26-18) and Atlanta Braves (28-17) — will kick off a three-game series Monday evening at Citizens Bank Park.
The Phillies failed to win a series against the St. Louis Cardinals for the first time since August 2014, as they fell in Sunday afternoon's finale, 5-1. Opposing pitcher Jack Flaherty recorded his first MLB win, giving up only two hits and one walk, while striking out 13 Phillies batters through 7 2/3 innings. Odubel Herrera's 45-game on-base streak came to an end — the fourth-longest such streak in Phillies history — as he went 0-4 with three strikeouts. The Phillies' lone run came via solo shot by Rhys Hoskins in the fourth, his sixth of the season. Starter Aaron Nola fell to 6-2, allowing four runs spanning six frames on 99 pitches.
Starters Nick Pivetta and Mike Foltynewicz will oppose each other for the fourth time this season, as the Phillies seek to take over the division lead in the series. Manager Gabe Kapler's club currently trails the NL-best Braves by 1 1/2 games.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Atlanta Braves (28-17) | Philadelphia Phillies (26-18) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RHP | Mike Foltynewicz | RHP | Nick Pivetta | ||
| (3-2, 2.87 ERA) | (3-2, 3.72 ERA) | ||||
RHP Mike Foltynewicz, Age: 26
- Career vs. PHI: 4-2, 3.74 ERA, 10 G, 9 GS, 53 IP, 48 H, 23 R, 22 ER, 9 HR, 21 BB, 56 SO, 1.302 WHIP
- Career at Citizens Bank Park: 1-2, 5.11 ERA, 5 G, 4 GS, 24 2/3 IP, 26 H, 14 R, 14 ER, 6 HR, 8 BB, 25 SO, 1.378 WHIP
Foltynewicz has not allowed an earned run over his last two starts, surrendering six hits and seven walks with 14 strikeouts through 10 innings. The five-year veteran is 1-0 with a 2.12 ERA, 21-7 strikeout-to-walk ratio and 1.118 WHIP spanning three starts and 17 innings against the Phillies this season.
RHP Nick Pivetta, Age: 25
- Career vs. ATL: 3-1, 3.48 ERA, 6 G, 6 GS, 31 IP, 30 H, 12 R, 12 ER, 1 HR, 10 BB, 24 SO, 1.290 WHIP
- Career at Citizens Bank Park: 6-4, 4.45 ERA, 17 G, 17 GS, 93 IP, 89 H, 48 R, 46 ER, 17 HR, 25 BB, 112 SO, 1.226 WHIP
Pivetta has allowed just one run over his last two starts, while striking out 18 batters through 12 innings. The right-hander is 0-1 with a 5.14 ERA and 1.500 WHIP through three starts and 14 innings against the Braves in 2018.
Starting Lineups:
| Atlanta Braves (28-17) | Philadelphia Phillies (26-18) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | 2B | Ozzie Albies | S | 1 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S |
| 2 | LF | Ronald Acuna Jr. | R | 2 | LF | Rhys Hoskins | R |
| 3 | 1B | Freddie Freeman | L | 3 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L |
| 4 | RF | Nick Markakis | L | 4 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R |
| 5 | C | Kurt Suzuki | R | 5 | 1B | Carlos Santana | S |
| 6 | CF | Ender Inciarte | L | 6 | C | Jorge Alfaro | R |
| 7 | 3B | Johan Camargo | S | 7 | RF | Nick Williams | L |
| 8 | SS | Dansby Swanson | R | 8 | SS | Scott Kingery | R |
| 9 | P | Mike Foltynewicz | R | 9 | P | Nick Pivetta | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 7:05 p.m.
- TV: NBCSP
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game Notes:
- The Phillies are 3-6 against the Braves so far this season, 1-2 at home and 2-4 on the road, while outscored 54-30. The Phillies last won a home series against Atlanta in a four-game sweep, July 28-31 of last season.
- Foltynewicz has surrendered the ninth-fewest hits among qualified MLB starts this season, minimum 47 innings pitched (39).
- Phillies catcher Andrew Knapp is hitless in 11 career at-bats against Foltynewicz, Herrera is 8-25 lifetime against the right-hander with two doubles, one home run, one walk and four RBI. Lifetime against Pivetta, Freddie Freeman is just 1-12 with a triple, RBI and walk.
What's Next:
Tuesday, May 22, 2018: vs. Atlanta Braves, 7:05 p.m.
- Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pa.
- RHP Brandon McCarthy (4-2, 5.05 ERA) vs. RHP Vince Velasquez (4-4, 4.37 ERA)
- TV: NBCSP; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
