Braves at Phillies
Right-handers Julio Teheran and Aaron Nola will square off for the third time this season as the Atlanta Braves continue their 10-game road trip on Friday with the opener of a three-game series versus the Philadelphia Phillies. Teheran recorded one victory at Nola's expense earlier this month to help the Braves (14-10) win four of six against the Phillies (15-9) at SunTrust Park.
Atlanta overcame surrendering 19 runs in back-to-back losses to struggling Cincinnati before Ronald Acuna Jr. stepped up in his first two career contests, going 4-for-9 with a homer, two RBIs and three runs scored help the Braves salvage a split of the four-game set. "The real good ones make an immediate impact," manager Brian Snitker said after Thursday's 7-4 triumph. "This kid has skills. He's an asset for us, whether he's batting, in the field or on the bases. It's nice to have him." The Phillies had won 11 of 13 before dropping two of three versus Arizona heading into the final leg of their 10-game homestand. Odubel Herrera went 2-for-4 in Thursday's 8-2 setback to the Diamondbacks to reach base safely in a career-high 26 straight games, although he is just 5-for-22 against Atlanta this season.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FS South (Atlanta), NBCS Philadelphia-Plus
PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Julio Teheran (1-1, 4.00 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Aaron Nola (2-1, 2.30)
Teheran recorded his third straight quality outing on Saturday but settled for a no-decision despite scattering four hits and striking out six over seven scoreless innings against the New York Mets. The 27-year-old Colombian was fortunate to walk away with a no-decision versus Philadelphia in the season opener on March 29 after allowing four runs in 5 2/3 innings before securing the win on April 16 following a nine-strikeout performance in a 2-1 triumph. Rhys Hoskins has three doubles to highlight his 4-for-9 performance against Teheran, although the right-hander has flustered Cesar Hernandez (5-for-31) and Aaron Altherr (3-for-21).
Nola yielded two runs or fewer for the fifth straight outing on Saturday and struck out a season-high nine without issuing a walk in seven innings of a 6-2 triumph over Pittsburgh. The 24-year-old has pitched well in both outings against Atlanta this season, as he settled for a no-decision after receiving an early hook from Phillies manager Gabe Kapler in the opener before giving up two runs and four hits en route to taking the loss in the most recent encounter. Freddie Freeman is 6-for-19 while Nick Markakis has homered twice off Nola, who sports a 5-2 mark with a 2.04 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in nine career matchups with the Braves.
WALK-OFFS
1. Alther is 7-for-18 in his last five games after collecting just four hits in his previous 44 at-bats.
2. Atlanta 2B Ozzie Albies has homered in back-to-back outings and leads the majors in extra-base hits (19), although he is just 5-for-27 with five strikeouts against Philadelphia this season.
3. Hernandez is 11-for-28 with five RBIs and five runs scored during the homestand.
PREDICTION: Phillies 3, Braves 2