Phillies vs. Braves: Who to Watch
Phillies vs. Braves: Who to watch in the division matchup
I would first like to acknowledge Darren Daulton. I was six years old in 1993, but I remember Daulton’s leadership. That Phillies team will live on in infamy in this city, and much of that is credited to Dutch. Rest easy, bro. Thanks for all the memories. Right on…fight on.
As the Phillies trudge their way through the month of August, they meet the team they have had the most success against. Atlanta It has not been a strong recent run for the Braves and that all began with a four game wraparound series in Philadelphia.
When last we met, I chose the obvious Mike Trout as the player the Phillies would have to hold at bay. It did not go well. The star outfielder had five hits (two of them homers) and three walks. He scored four times and knocked in five teammates. He led his team to a sweep and the Phillies had absolutely no answer for his talent.
Phils Grade: F
The Phillies were able to hit Parker Bridwell around quite a bit on Thursday. The four earned runs were the most Bridwell had surrendered since the end of June when he allowed five in a start against Seattle. He has not walked three hitters since July 5th either. The Phils were able to figure him out, but he earned a no decision as Anaheim was able to find a way to win late.
Phils Grade: B+
The Team: Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are once again the foe. This time, however, the Phillies will travel to Atlanta for the weekend series. The Braves are struggling as of late though. Including their trip to Philadelphia last weekend, Atlanta has lost seven of their last ten games.
It has been a somewhat confusing season for Atlanta. They brought on veterans to help the roster. Brandon Phillips has been incredible for them. Matt Kemp has put together a solid season despite his recent injury. And when Freddie Freeman was injured, they acquired Matt Adams, who has been really good as well.
Oh yeah, Freeman is now playing third base because of Adams’ success. Then, there is the confusing case that was Dansby Swanson. The top prospect had some serious struggles, both at the plate and in the field. He has been sent down to AAA to figure some things out.
And yet, the Braves are currently settled into third place of the NL East only eight games under .500 (51-59). So why do the bottom-feeding Phillies seem to dominate them so much?
The Position Player: Brandon Phillips
Although Phillips has been significantly cool during the last week or so, he has had his way with Phillies pitchers this season. In 45 at bats against the Phils this season, he has slashed .400/.426/.556 with four doubles and a homer.
He has four hits in eight at bats off Jerad Eickhoff and two in three at bats off Zach Eflin. Two of the four against Eickhoff are for extra bases. He will look to continue his success against both of them in his home ballpark this time around.
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The veteran second baseman has been better at SunTrust Park this season than on the road. He has an .833 OPS when at home that includes a .487 slugging percentage. Seven of his eight homeruns have come in Atlanta. He is obviously very comfortable playing there.
Anyone who has watched Phillips throughout his career knows that his glove can be a game-changer.
He makes every play look easy and can take away hits/runs on anything hit to the right side of the field.
As the 36 year old gets ready to complete his 15th season in the bigs, the Phillies look to control his bat. He loves to hit fastballs. Eflin and Eickhoff do not live off their fastballs, but rather try to fool hitters with breaking and offspeed pitches. While Phillips does not struggle with those, he is much more likely to feast on fastballs in the zone than the secondary stuff.
The Pitcher: Sean Newcomb
When the Phillies last saw Julio Tehran, they lit the 23 year old up for eight earned runs in 4.2 innings. However, in that same series, they did not have as much luck with lefty, Sean Newcomb.
In his five innings of work against the Phillies, he allowed one earned run on two hits and three walks. If he were able to limit the walks, he may have even found himself getting through the sixth inning.
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The 24 year old is only in his first full season as a big leaguer. Only Odubel Herrera and Cesar Hernandez had a hit against him last weekend. He issued three walks to three other Phillies in his five innings.
He has actually been worse at home this season than on the road. In his six starts at SunTrust, he is 0-5 with a 5.40 ERA. Opposing hitters are hitting .276 against him at home, but only .197 everywhere else.
In the same breath, do not be fooled by numbers. He had two very bad starts at home.
One in which he allowed seven earned runs against that very talented Houston offense and another when the Cubs knocked him around for five earned. Outside of that, he has allowed three earned or less in every home start.
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He comes in with a three pitch repertoire of fastball, curveball, changeup. He throws 99 with that fastball…with movement. His curveball has very tight action, but plays as his second pitch. It is still a plus secondary and the changeup continues to improve. Newcomb could be looking at hitters with three plus pitches very soon.