The Philadelphia Phillies (74-52) have a chance to win their first series of the season against the Atlanta Braves (67-59) on Thursday night after evening things up with a gutsy 3-2 win on Wednesday.
Phillies starter Aaron Nola did enough to keep his team in Wednesday's game, making just one mistake to Orlando Arcia in the fourth inning. Arcia barely hit a two-run home run and then made a mistake of his own. He seemingly stared at Bryce Harper multiple times as he rounded the bases, in a pathetic attempt at retaliation for Harper's staredowns in last year's NLDS.
According to MLB.com's Todd Zolecki, Harper shrugged it off.
"Nah, I didn't,” Harper said when asked if he noticed Arcia, per Zolecki. “I don't care. I couldn't care less. I already did it."
The Phillies bullpen held it together for 3 2/3 innings while the bats scrapped together three runs, two in the sixth and one in the eighth, to set up a big series finale on Thursday. Carlos Estévez had a bit of a shaky ninth but got Whit Merrifield to ground out to end the game.
The Phillies have dropped both the first two series against their NL East rivals this season. They came into Truist Park down 2-4 in the season series. Winning tonight would be a huge boost and would be the difference between leaving Atlanta with an 8.0-game lead instead of a 6.0-game lead in the division.
Phillies vs. Braves probable pitchers, August 22
- Cristopher Sánchez (9-8) will start for the Phillies tonight. The lefty has a 3.46 ERA and 1.25 WHIP in 24 starts. He bounced back from a rough start in Arizona with a complete game against the Washington Nationals last time out, allowing one run on two hits while striking out four. This will be Sánchez's first start against the Braves this season.
- Spencer Schwellenbach (4-6) will throw for the Braves. The 24-year-old rookie has a 4.04 ERA and 1.07 WHIP in 13 starts. He held the Phillies to one run on seven hits in six innings of work in his lone start against them. He struck out six in that meeting.
Philadelphia Phillies starting lineup, August 22
- 1. DH Kyle Schwarber
- 2. SS Trea Turner
- 3. 1B Bryce Harper
- 4. RF Nick Castellanos
- 5. 2B Bryson Stott
- 6. C J.T. Realmuto
- 7. LF Brandon Marsh
- 8. 3B Weston Wilson
- 9. CF Johan Rojas
Atlanta Braves starting lineup, August 22
- 1. CF Michael Harris II
- 2. 2B Whit Merrifield
- 3. DH Marcell Ozuna
- 4. 1B Matt Olson
- 5. RF Ramón Laureano
- 6. LF Adam Duvall
- 7. SS Orlando Arcia
- 8. C Sean Murphy
- 9. 3B Gio Urshela
What channel is the Philadelphia Phillies game on today?
- Game time: 7:08 p.m. ET.
- FOX will have the exclusive national broadcast.
How do I stream the Philadelphia Phillies game today?
How can I listen to the Philadelphia Phillies game today?
- The Phillies broadcast will be on 94 WIP and WTTM 1680.
- Braves fans can tune into the game on 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan and La Mejor 1600/1460/1130 AM.