The injury-riddled Braves season marches on as they welcome the Phillies to Truist Park for a three-game series. While the Braves just announced they will be without everyday third baseman Austin Riley for the remainder of the regular season, this remains one of the most important remaining series left for Atlanta. The Braves trail the Phillies in the NL East by 7 games and their best chance at making up that ground is in the remaining head-to-head matchups.
Since both teams are still in the heat of the playoff race, expect to see both teams starting their studs to win as many games in this heated rivalry as possible. While it feels as if the Phillies have been winning all season with the Braves stumbling at every given opportunity, the Braves still feel they have a shot to win the division for the 7th consecutive season, and with good reason as the Braves lead the Phillies in their head to head matchups 4-2 so far this year.
Braves vs Phillies Fantasy Starts
Trae Turner, SS, Philadelphia Phillies
Turner has been on fire since being reactivated from the IL. So far this season Turner is hitting .311 with 14 home runs,43 RBI, and 14 stolen bases. That hot streak seems amplified as of late with Turner having 10 hits out of his last 17 plate appearances. If you have Turner you’re probably already starting him but if you need more convincing he always seems to play better against the Braves with a career .303 AVG and 21 HR against Atlanta.
Bryce Harper, 1B, Philadelphia Phillies
Harper is another must-start on the Phillies when he is healthy. Harper is sporting a .278 AVG with 26 home runs and 73 RBI this season. After sitting on the bench for Sunday’s contest against the nationals after going 0-7 at the plate in the prior two games, he should be nice and rested to get back on track in Atlanta. While Harper doesn’t stay cold for long he loves hitting against the Braves as he has 44 home runs and 106 RBI in 185 career games against the Braves.
Marcell Ozuna, DH, Atlanta Braves
Marcell Ozuna might be the only bright spot in a rough season for the Atlanta Braves. The power-hitting DH has a legitimate shot at the NL Triple Crown. It can be difficult to keep a player rostered with no position flexibility in fantasy but if you took the chance to draft Ozuna you’ve been regarded handsomely as he is hitting .309 with 36 home runs and 93 RBI with no signs of slowing down. Even with Phillies ace Zack Wheeler on the mound, you still want Ozuna in your lineup as he could go deep at any point.
Braves vs Phillies Fantasy Sits
Matt Olson, 1B, Atlanta Braves
This season has been a far cry from Olson’s great 2023 season and while you can’t expect him to break the franchise home run record every single season, I don’t think anyone expected a decline this steep. Only hitting .230 this season with 21 home runs but his splits against right-handed pitching are even worse. He is only hitting .219 against righties with 103 strikeouts and since he is facing one of the top right-handed pitches in the game, you’re going to want to avoid starting him at all costs.
Kyle Schwarber, DH, Phillies
Kyle Schwarber may be the biggest boom-or-bust player in the league right now. He could go yard at any time but he could also go 0-4 with 3 strikeouts. Schwarber’s splits against right-handed pitching make it more likely you’ll regret having him in your starting lineup than you would regret benching him. Reynaldo Lopez is taking the mound for Atlanta in this first game and Schwarber is hitting .202 with 89 strikeouts against righties this season and Lopez is having a career year.
J.T. Realmuto, C, Phillies
Unlike most other people on the sit list, Realmuto isn’t about his splits vs right-handed pitching, it is more about the fact that you probably have a better option on waivers you can pick up or possibly already on your team. While Realmuto is heating up recently and has at least one hit in every game the last week, Lopez may shut down the Phillies lineup completely and unless you’re in a 2 catcher league there should be plenty of other options available.
Braves vs Phillies Pitching Matchup
Reynaldo Lopez RHP (7-4, 2.06 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, 102 Ks, 104.2 IP) vs Zack Wheeler(12-5, 2.72 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 162 Ks, 148.2 IP)
Lopez was just activated off the IL Monday and will make his first start since July 28, on Tuesday at home against the Phillies. Lopez has been fantastic this season and should continue to shove on the mound. His conversion from the bullpen to a starting role has worked well but only time will tell if the added innings catch up to him or not. Until he starts to decline he should be in your starting lineup for pitchers whenever he starts.
Zack Wheeler is always a must-start and is no different for this matchup. Wheeler is having the type of season we have come to expect from him and Wheeler being from Atlanta always brings his A-game against the Braves as he usually has family and friends in attendance. This game could easily turn into a pitching duel with Atlanta’s down year offensively and two of the best arms in baseball going head-to-head.
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