Braves vs. Phillies: Can Atlanta Upset Philly After Mets Sweep?
The Philadelphia Phillies, while still leading the National League East, are reeling after a brutal sweep at the hands of the New York Mets. Their division lead has shrunk, and they now face another NL East rival: the Atlanta Braves. The four-game series kicks off today, August 28th, at 6:45 PM ET and will be broadcast on MLB Network.
While 2025 hasn't been kind to the Braves, they've been quietly surging, winning five of their last six series. Can they capitalize on the Phillies' recent struggles?
Pitching Matchup: Nola vs. Quantrill
The Phillies will send Aaron Nola (2-7, 6.52 ERA) to the mound, hoping he can rediscover his form. Nola's having a tough year, but he's coming off a decent outing against the Nationals. The Braves counter with Cal Quantrill (4-11, 5.51 ERA), a recent acquisition looking to prove his worth.
Nola's Historical Success Against Atlanta
Historically, Nola has been a thorn in the Braves' side, boasting a career 3.59 ERA against them in 37 starts. That number drops even lower to 3.09 when pitching in Philadelphia. However, given Nola's struggles this season, the Braves might be catching him at the right time.
Betting Odds and Predictions
SportsLine's Projection Model simulates each game 10,000 times to provide MLB betting insights. Currently, Nola's strikeout prop is set at 5.5 (Over -128, Under +102), while Quantrill's is at 3.5 (Over +112, Under -148). The model strongly recommends betting the Under on Quantrill's earned runs allowed, projecting him to surrender only 2.4 earned runs.
The Braves' offense has been performing well above average since the All-Star break, presenting a challenge for Nola. Keep an eye on Kyle Schwarber, who is tied for second in MLB with 45 home runs.
Will the Braves continue their hot streak, or will the Phillies bounce back and defend their division lead? This series promises to be an exciting one!