Philadelphia Phillies Weekend Preview: Atlanta Braves

The Philadelphia Phillies series against the Atlanta Braves is previewed.

The Philadelphia Phillies’ pre-All-Star break offensive surge is a thing of the past. For the last couple of weeks, their offense has returned to the feeble levels seen through most of the first two months of the season.

There is some good news: This weekend, they’ll face a team that might be even more offensively inept than they are.

Atlanta Braves

Record: 34-66 (Fifth place in National League East)

Manager: Fredi Gonzalez

The last time they met

The Philadelphia Phillies were hitting the ball well in early July, and when the Braves came to town, they fell victim to the offensive onslaught. The Phillies hit eight home runs in the three games and swept the series.

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What’s the deal with the Braves

The Braves have the fewest wins in the majors, and are somehow ten games behind the Philadelphia Phillies for fourth place in the NL East. The main cause for the losing has been their offense which has scored the fewest runs in baseball.

The pitching hasn’t been all that much better. Their team ERA is 11th in the National League, and Julio Teheran is the only starting pitcher who gives them a decent chance to win on most nights.

Reason to hate the Braves

The Braves somehow convinced the government of Cobb County to build them a new stadium with mostly public funds. Keep in mind that the Braves’ current stadium is only twenty years old, and the negotiations were done in such a way that the people of the county didn’t get a say.

Braves player who isn’t entirely horrible

Freddie Freeman seems out of place in the Braves’ lineup simply because he could actually be considered a good hitter. His 17 home runs lead the team, and he has a .356 on-base percentage to go along with them.

Braves player who is horrible

A.J. Pierzynski has had a long, successful career, but at age 39, he’s clearly at the end. He was once a lock to hit double-figure home runs in a season, but he’s only managed one so far in 2016. He’s also not playing strong defense or getting on base. I realize many teams don’t have good backup catchers, but Pierzynski has been particularly bad.

Phillies player who has been awesome lately

Jeremy Hellickson has made five starts in July and only allowed more than one run in one of them. He may be pitching himself out of town, as the Philadelphia Phillies are reportedly actively shopping him to contenders.

Reasons for optimism

1. As mentioned, the Braves’ offense is bad. The Phillies’ pitchers should thrive.
2. Ryan Howard will likely get at least one start in the series as he traditionally crushes the ball at Turner Field.
3. Matt Wisler – Atlanta’s starter on Thursday – has allowed five or more runs in his last three starts. Starting the series off against him might be a good way for the Phillies’ offense to get going.

Reasons for pessimism

1. There’s a decent chance that Hellickson will be traded before his start on Saturday, so the Phillies might need to scramble to find a replacement or go with a dreaded “bullpen game.”
2. Aaron Nola had another rough outing in his last start. The hope is that facing the Braves might cure him, but if he struggles again, it might be time to worry.
3. The Phillies will have to face Teheran on Saturday, and he usually gives them trouble.

Next: Who Replaces Peter Bourjos?

Tweet of Importance

Looks like our old friend Jeff Francoeur will be finishing up the season with the Braves.

Prediction

The Philadelphia Phillies will take three out of four games. They’ll lose on Saturday as Hellickson’s replacement struggles.