The Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies will play the rubber game of their 3-game set in a matinée today at Truist Park. After blanking the Braves on Friday 13-0, the Phillies’ bats went cold yesterday, mustering just 4 hits in a 6-1 loss. Philadelphia holds a 1/2 game lead over the New York Mets for the top spot in the NL East with Atlanta sitting 9-1/2 back. The Phillies are expected to send lefty Ranger Suárez to the hill and he has been delivering. Suárez is 6-2 with a 2.08 ERA, a 1.22 WHIP, and last faced the Braves on May 27th when he pitched a gem, yielding only 4 hits, no runs, and the Phillies went on to a 2-0 win. Atlanta is expected to counter with Spencer Strider who is 3-5 with a 4.07 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP, but don’t let his numbers fool you. Strider is a quality pitcher. If Philadelpha wants to remain at the top of the NL East, they have to beat their division rivals and they know that. Philadelphia has the edge today in starting pitching, runs scored, run differential, batting average, hits, and homers. Consider the road dog in this one.
TODAY’S PICK: PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES