Series Preview: Wheeler takes the mound for the Phillies in the first of four against the Atlanta Braves

The Philadelphia Phillies are in Atlanta tonight to take on the Braves for the first time in 2022. Tonight starts a four-game series in Atlanta, featuring a matchup of Zack Wheeler (2-3, 3.49 ERA) vs Tucker Davidson (1-0, 5.87 ERA).
The Phillies got some help yesterday from Dodgers second baseman Max Muncy after he botched ground ball in the bottom of the 10th inning to cough up the series finale 4-3. I can’t remember the last time I saw a defensive mistake go in the Phillies’ favor, but here we are.
The Phillies and Braves both sit at 19-22 on the season, tied in the NL East race, trailing the New York Mets by a whopping eight games. The Phillies offense has scored 184 runs on the year (+11 differential), while the Braves have scored just 167 (-11 differential).
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FOX Bet Odds Boosts
- Zack Wheeler 7+ Ks and Phillies WIN +200
- JT Realmuto, Rhys Hoskins, and Ronald Acuna 1+ Hit Each +240
- Bryce Harper or Matt Olson HR +200
I like all three of these bets, but if there’s one that I would call a “lock”, it’s the first one. Zack Wheeler is coming off an absolute gem vs the Padres, throwing seven shutout innings, allowing just four hits and striking out 9. I love Wheeler to throw 7+ strikeouts tonight, and I do think the Phillies come out with the win.
Final Pick: Zack Wheeler 7+ Ks and Phillies WIN +200
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Series Pitching Matchups
- Monday (7:20 PM): Zack Wheeler vs Tucker Davidson
- Tuesday (7:20 PM): Kyle Gibson vs Max Fried
- Wednesday (7:20 PM): Ranger Suarez vs Charlie Morton
- Thursday (7:20 PM): Aaron Nola vs Kyle Wright
Zack Wheeler vs Tucker Davidson
Zack Wheeler gets the ball for the Phillies tonight, making his eighth start of the year. Wheeler has been great over his last four starts, with a combined 26 innings pitched, allowing just three earned runs and striking out 30. Wheeler had a tough start to his year after zero innings in Spring Training but has really found his footing over the last month.
Tucker Davidson will take the hill for Atlanta, making just his second start of the year. Davidson has not started once at home this season but has thrown 2.2 innings out of the bullpen. In that time, he’s tallied a 16.88 ERA, allowing five earned runs and five hits. He’s 1-0 total on the year, posting a 5.87 ERA and a 1.70 WHIP.
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Last 7 Days: Who’s Hot and Who’s Not
Hot: Garret Stubbs, Kyle Schwarber, Johan Camargo
Garrett Stubbs has been everything this team needed, and more. He’s slashing .600/.667/1.200 in his last five at-bats and has been a huge piece in a time where JT Realmuto has struggled immensely. Kyle Schwarber has finally found some consistency, hitting .286 over his last 21 at-bats, with 1 HR, 1 RBI, and 4 hits.
Not: Nick Castellanos, Rhys Hoskins, Alec Bohm, JT Realmuto
If there’s a reason the Phillies have lost four of their last six, it’s probably because these four guys have struggled at the plate in a time when they needed to step up with Bryce Harper’s absence. Bohm is hitting .160/.160/.280 over his last six games, while the four hitters have combined for 26 strikeouts in their last 88 at-bats.
Atlanta Braves
Matt Olson leads the Braves in average at .242, while Marcell Ozuna tops the home runs and RBI list, with 8 and 20. Ronald Acuna Jr has played well since his return, hitting .298/.429/.474 in 15 games.
Kyle Wright holds a 2.49 ERA on the year with 56 strikeouts. Max Fried leads the way with four wins and has thrown the most innings (49). A.J Minter has been the team’s most solid reliever, holding down a 1.45 ERA in 19 games out of the pen.
Phillies Starting Lineup
Lineup Notes: Rhys Hoskins continues to leadoff, while Jean Segura will hit in the 5-hole. JT will hit 7th, while Johan Camargo (SS) and Roman Quinn (CF) will round out the lineup.
Game 1 Odds via FanDuel Sportsbook
Team | Spread | Money Line | Total |
Philadelphia Phillies | -1.5 (+134) | -126 | O8.5 (-120) |
Atlanta Braves | +1.5 (-162) | +108 | U8.5 (-102) |
Series Prediction
The Phillies have been great on the road, and I think Bryce Harper will really get back into the swing of things in Atlanta. Phillies take three of four.
Series MVP: Bryce Harper
Tonight’s Final Pick: Phillies -1.5