Philadelphia Phillies vs. Atlanta Braves Prediction, Preview, and Odds – 5-26-2023

The Atlanta Braves (31-19) will host the Philadelphia Phillies (23-27) in the second contests of a four game series on Friday. The Braves took the opening game 8-5 on Thursday thanks to three runs in the bottom of the eight inning to break the tied game.

The Phillies-Braves rivalry has been highly competitive recently, as these teams have split the last 18 head-to-head meetings, including the postseason.

The Phillies have dropped three of their last four games. A two-out two-run home run by Trea Turner on Wednesday tied the game at 5-5 in an eventual 6-5 10-inning win over the Diamondbacks. Without Wednesday's late-game heroics, the Phillies would be on a four-game losing streak. Although the Phillies' 23-27 record may not seem impressive for a team that went to the World Series last season, the club was just 21-29 at this point last season before going on a nine-game winning streak. At this point, Philadelphia is fourth in the NL East and eight out of first place. The team has struggled on the road, losing 17 of their 26 games.

Kyle Schwarber leads the Phillies with 12 home runs and is third with 25 RBI. Despite the power numbers, Schwarber has a .172 batting average and is dead last on the team amongst 16 position players with a -0.5 WAR.

On Friday, the Phillies will start Taijuan Walker (3-2, 5.79 ERA). On the road, Walker has made six starts and is 2-2 with a 7.43 ERA. Although the overall numbers aren't tremendous, the Phillies have still managed to win six of the last eight games that Walker has started this season. The Phillies bullpen is 17th on the season, with a 4.05 ERA.

  
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