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Phillies welcome the Atlanta Braves: 5 things to watch for

By George Stockburger

BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 16: Rhys Hoskins #17 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits an RBI double during the seventh inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 16, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images)
BALTIMORE, MD - MAY 16: Rhys Hoskins #17 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits an RBI double during the seventh inning against the Baltimore Orioles at Oriole Park at Camden Yards on May 16, 2018 in Baltimore, Maryland. (Photo by Scott Taetsch/Getty Images) /
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ATLANTA, GA. – MAY 19: Dansby Swanson #7, Ozzie Albies #1, Ronald Acuna, Jr. #13, Johan Camargo #17, and Ender Inciarte #11 of the Atlanta Braves celebrate after the game against the Miami Marlins at SunTrust Field on May 19, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images)
ATLANTA, GA. – MAY 19: Dansby Swanson #7, Ozzie Albies #1, Ronald Acuna, Jr. #13, Johan Camargo #17, and Ender Inciarte #11 of the Atlanta Braves celebrate after the game against the Miami Marlins at SunTrust Field on May 19, 2018 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images) /

It’s the most important series in the Phillies rebuilding era, and it starts tonight

Since the start of the 2013 season, the Phillies have played three games as the sole leader of the National League East. That’s .0035% of their games in the last five and a quarter seasons, which is about what you’d expect from a rebuilding team.

Atlanta was thought to be a rebuilding team entering this year and among the worst teams in baseball. That changed from day one when they showed a combination of young stars and veterans could get the job done as the division favorites slipped early. With New York and Washington fighting to reclaim themselves in the division, Philadelphia and Atlanta are fighting for first place as they begin a critical three-game series.

Eight games above .500 this season the Phillies have struggled against division opponents winning just 8 of 22 games. Three of those wins came against Atlanta during two early series which the Braves took six of nine. Both clubs already look different with the Braves bringing up two of their top offensive prospects and the Phillies starting pitching in a groove.

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