The Philadelphia Phillies will close out their Opening Day series against the Atlanta Braves today at 1:05pm. The Phillies will be looking to complete the sweep of the Braves after winning their first two games of the 2021 season. Today, they will face right-hander Ian Anderson, a player that the Phillies passed on the 2016 draft in favor of Mickey Moniak.

The Braves remain winless and are coming off a loss on Saturday to the Phillies in which they were only able to get one hit while striking out 14 times without drawing a single walk. Zack Wheeler dominated the Braves yesterday on the mound and at the plate. Wheeler threw seven innings allowing only one hit and one base runner, striking out 10. He allowed zero walks and at one point retired 17 consecutive Braves hitters. It was the first time in his career he allowed only one hit. What made things even better, Wheeler was 2-for-3 from the plate with a single, double, two RBI, and one run scored.

In just two games, the Phillies bullpen looks completely different than last season. The bullpen has pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings in the season’s first two games. To put that in perspective, the Phillies’ bullpen last season had back-to-back scoreless games just once last season, which happened in early September. Archie Bradley and Hector Neris did not allow a hit in two scoreless innings yesterday. Wheeler, Bradley, and Neris combined for a one-hit shutout. They retired 23 straight batters to close out the game and give the Phillies a 4-0 win.

Zach Eflin will take the mound for the Phillies. Eflin went 4-2 with a 3.97 ERA while posting career-best marks in strikeouts and walks last year. Against the Braves, Eflin went 2-0 with a 2.92 ERA in two starts in just over 12 innings of work. Ian Anderson, a top prospect and potential ace of the future for the Atlanta Braves, went 3-2 with a 1.95 ERA and 41 strikeouts in 31 innings of work last year.

Phillies manager Joe Girardi said yesterday that Adam Haseley’s hamstring tested really well on Friday after hurting it during Thursday’s Opening Day game. Haseley was available off the bench yesterday and will start today in centerfield for the Phillies. JT Realmuto is healthy, but will get the day off today, with Andrew Knapp getting the start.

Today’s Lineup:

1. Andrew McCutchen
2. Rhys Hoskins
3. Bryce Harper
4. Alec Bohm
5. Didi Gregorius
6. Jean Segura
7. Andrew Knapp
8. Adam Haseley
9. Zach Eflin

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Mandatory Credit: The Philadelphia Inquirer