The Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies will each send a veteran arm to the mound when the teams open a three-game series in Atlanta that will help decide who wins the N.L. East.
Atlanta lefty Chris Sale (14-9, 2.10) will be opposed by Philadelphia right-hander Aaron Nola (6-10, 4.76) on Friday as the two contenders meet for the final three times this season.
The teams split four fiercely contested games in Philadelphia last week. The Braves are 7-3 against Philadelphia and 2-1 in Atlanta.
Atlanta (86-61) ended a three-game losing streak on Thursday by salvaging a game in their three-game series against Tampa Bay. Philadelphia (82-65) fell 2-1 on Thursday against Houston to drop two of three.
Atlanta has held a portion of first place in the division since April 8 and seemed to have Philadelphia out of contention on a couple of occasions. Atlanta held a 9 1/2 game lead on June 7, only to have the Phillies get as close as two games at the All-Star break. The Braves again built a nine-game lead on Aug. 12, but the Phils have persevered and enter the final series four games out of first place.
Sale continues to put together a Cy Young-type season. In his last start against Philadelphia on Friday, Sale pitched six strong innings, throwing 103 pitches and allowing two runs. He was especially tough in tight spots, as Philadelphia batters were 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position.
“I just want to do my part,” Sale said. “We got, what, I guess 28 guys now in this clubhouse? Everyone works hard. Everyone wants to do their part. Especially in a team game, you want to pull your weight. Guys in the bullpen have been holding it down. Our rotation has done a great job, and our offense grinds as much as anybody. I’m just a piece of the puzzle, and I want to do my part.”
Sale has made 10 career starts against the Phillies, going 5-2 with a 3.20 ERA. He is 3-0 with a 1.42 ERA in three outings against them this season.
Nola has returned to form over his last eight starts, going 4-4 with a 2.31 ERA. He has allowed more than two runs only once during that span. He allowed only one run over seven strong innings against the Braves on Sunday.
“Obviously it’s been an up-and-down season, and I just needed to stick with my routine and stay consistent with it,” Nola said. “And the belief that things can turn around, that’s kind of what I believe throughout the year, and if I stay healthy, things can turn around.”
Nola has made 40 starts against Atlanta, more than any opponent, going 17-12 with a 3.73 ERA. He is 0-1 with a 5.40 ERA in two appearances against Atlanta this season.
Atlanta may be without outfielder Lane Thomas, who was a late scratch on Thursday because of tightness on his left side. Philadelphia outfielder Brandon Marsh had to leave Thursday’s game after fouling a ball off his foot, but X-rays were negative and Marsh may not miss time.
–Field Level Media
