This week, the first place Atlanta Braves are in town.
You know, the team that won 100 games last season and clinched their fifth straight NL East title — then lost to the Phillies in humiliating fashion in the divisional round of the playoffs.
Yep, those same Braves are making their first trip to Philadelphia this week. Thanks to baseball’s new “balanced” schedule, the Phils are playing fewer games against divisional opponents than in years prior. It feels weird that this is the first time they’re playing Atlanta at Citizens Bank Park.
Back on June 2, the Phillies were swept by the Mets and fell eight games behind the Braves in the division.
Since then, the Phils have won six in a row and gone 13-2 in their last 15 games.
Yet they remain eight games back because Atlanta has ALSO won six in a row and gone 13-2 in their last 15. However, that doesn’t mean the Phils haven’t helped themselves over the last two-plus weeks.
Thank goodness for all the wild cards.
There’s no doubt Atlanta is a great team, but it’s fair to note they have played three games against a team with a winning record in their last 19, and have had just the 19th-toughest schedule thus far. The Phillies’ schedule has been 9th-toughest, according to ESPN. Also, the Phillies have played 12 more road games than home games this season, the largest disparity in baseball.
Make no mistake, these two teams are meeting each other at their hottest. But the Phils are in a great spot. While Philly has had difficulty winning in Atlanta, the Braves have had their issues at Citizens Bank Park, going 14-8 over the last two years.
Including…
…the…
…playoffs.
The Braves have some memories to shake off.
On the latest edition of Hittin’ Season, we recapped the major storylines of this extended Phillies winning streak, discussed what the Phils should do at the trade deadline, and previewed this monstrous series against the Braves.
