After an embarrassing three-game set in New York, the Philadelphia Phillies will look to get back on the right path as they return home on Thursday. The Phillies will face off with the Atlanta Braves in a four-game series, their final series against the tomahawk-loving Braves in 2025.
“We need to play better,” manager Rob Thomson said after Wednesday’s 6-0 loss to the Mets. “We’ve just got to flush it and move on.”
Phillies’ starters combined to allow 13 runs over the three games with the bullpen allowing 11 runs in relief. Offensively, the Phillies continued to be anemic with runners in scoring position, going 3-for-22 on the series entire.
Phillies vs Braves: Series matchups
Aaron Nola will kick off the series for the Phillies Thursday night before handing the ball off to the southpaw triple threat of Ranger Suárez, Cristopher Sánchez, and Jesús Luzardo.
Nola took a few steps in the right direction in his second start since returning from the Injured List, striking out six and allowing two runs over six innings of work against the Washington Nationals. Still the less-than-proud owner of a 6.52 ERA on the season, Nola will look to continue to prove the Phillies can rely on him as he faces the familiar Braves. He will enter the contest with 1,841 career strikeouts, just three away from tying Cole Hamels for third in Phillies’ history.
Cal Qunatrill will go against Nola Thursday night. Quantrill owns a 5.51 ERA on the year and will make his second start for the Braves after being selected off waivers last Friday. Quantrill made two starts against the Phillies for the Miami Marlins, allowing 10 runs over 7.1 innings.
On Sunday, Suárez pitched the 12th start this season by a Phillies’ starter with 10+ strikeouts and zero walks. Having struck out 21 batters in his last two outings, Suárez appears to be returning to form after a mid-season sputter. The Braves will send out Bryce Elder, who allowed 10 runs in just two innings against the Phillies in June, against Suárez. Elder has allowed 14 earned runs in his last three starts and owns a 6.12 ERA this season.
Sánchez will look to put his rocky start in Queens behind him after allowing five earned runs in 5.1 innings Monday. The outing was Sánchez’s worst of the season as he yields a 2.66 ERA. Chris Sale is slated to make his first start in over two months against Sánchez. The reigning National League Cy Young award winner has been recovering from a fractured rib cage. Prior to his injury, the 36-year old had been pitching a strong season, yielding a 2.52 ERA in 15 starts.
Luzardo will then close out the series on Sunday for the Phillies. Only lasting four innings Tuesday in New York, breaking a five-game six-plus inning streak, Luzardo will look to get back on track in his third start against the Braves on the season. Luzardo will face Hurston Waldrep in his fifth start of the season for the Braves. The 23-year old owns a 0.90 ERA on the year.
Where to Watch
Fans can watch Thursday and Saturday’s contests on NBC Sports Philadelphia. Friday night will be featured on Apple TV+ (subscription required) while Sunday will be a Sunday Night Baseball matchup on ESPN.
