In the last of a three-game series between the Philadelphia Phillies (6-12) and the Atlanta Braves (6-12) at Citizens Bank Park, Jerome Williams (1-1, 3.71 ERA) and Trevor Cahill (0-2, 9.95 ERA) get the start. The Braves won the last game 5-2 and the series is currently tied 1-1. The game starts at 1:35 p.m. ET on Sunday, Apr. 26 and will air on FSN-S and CSN-PHI.
Williams has a 5.26 ERA and a 1-3 record in his career against the Braves, but faces a less-than-stellar Atlanta offense that’s hitting just .234 on the year. In his pitching opportunities against the Phillies, Cahill is 2-3 with a 3.60 ERA. He meets a struggling Philadelphia offense that’s batting just .214. Nick Markakis (.362, 10 Rs, 5 RBIs, 1 SB) has been doing well offensively for the Braves, going 2 for 4 yesterday with one run.
Philadelphia is a slight -111 favorite in this game and the Over/Under (O/U) is set at eight runs. The Phillies are winless as a favorite with a 0-2 record as well as a -384 overall money line. They are 0-1 as the favorite over their last 10 games. Don’t expect the Philadelphia hitters to swing wildly. They average only 7.2 strikeouts per game.
Switching gears, the Braves come into this game with a win percentage of .500 when playing as the underdog (6-6) and an overall money line of +158. Over the past 10 matchups, they are 3-7 SU and have played poorly as the underdog with a 2-6 record. The Braves seem to play worse against their division opponents. In divisional matchups, Atlanta has averaged 3.2 runs per game, compared to 3.8 for the duration of the season. Atlanta has an eye for the strike zone, ranking 3.1 in the NL with fifth walks per game. The Braves are a problem for opposing batters, sporting a 3.44 ERA on the road this season. They also allow just 7.7 hits per game, good for second in the NL.
This game will feature Cahill (RHP) on the mound against the Phillies, who have a 4-10 record when they take on a right-handed starter. Taking the hill against the Braves will be the right-hander Williams. They sport a 6-7 record against righties.
Predictions: SU Winner – ATL, O/U – Under
Notes
When they lead after 7 innings, both Philadelphia and Atlanta have a 4-6 record.
The Phillies managed to give up four walks in their last game. They’ll have to pick it up against the Braves who are coming in with a 5-2 record against opponents who give up that many walks or more.
When they are outhit, the Braves are 1-6. The Phillies have a 2-10 record when opponents outhit them.
Ranking 27th in home runs, Philadelphia has hit 10 this season. Atlanta ranks 14th with 15 home runs.
Ranking 15th, Philadelphia is in the top half of the league in hits, notching 7.06 per game. Atlanta ranks in the top 10 at 10th with 7.56.
Ranking 29th, Philadelphia is near the bottom of the league for its on-base plus slugging percentage (.588). Atlanta ranks in the bottom half at 18th with an OPS of .677.
The Braves are 3-4 in games where they allow one or more home runs. The Phillies are 4-8 when they allow at least one homer.
