Can Newk Nuke the Phillies?

© Photo by Scott Cunningham/Getty Images

On the heels of a smooth doubleheader sweep yesterday, the Braves can win a four-game series against the Phillies today.

By already taking two out of the series’ first three games, the worst game-related outcome the Braves could face comes in the form of a series split. But the Braves would love to lock down a win today to keep up their momentum before heading to New York to face a stout Yankees team.

They have a difficult task at hand, as they draw Phillies ace Aaron Nola as their opponent. Over two starts on the season, Nola is 0-1, but carries a 15.09 K/9 rate with a 0.79 BB/9 rate. He has historically given the Braves fits, but the Braves’ offense appeared rejuvenated during yesterday’s twinbill.

Sean Newcomb is next in line to continue the trend of Braves pitchers stepping up in the wake of Mike Soroka’s season-ending Achilles injury.

In the six games since Soroka went down, Braves starters have combined to go 2-2 with a 3.29 ERA | 3.43 FIP and 1.04 WHIP. Of the 11 earned runs allowed by Braves pitchers in the past week, four of them came during an 11 pitch sequence during Kyle Wright’s outing against Philadelphia. Newcomb’s contribution was a 4 ⅔ inning outing against the Mets during which he allowed two runs.

As he continues to settle back into a starting role, Newcomb’s pitch count will be the most important thing to monitor. During his most recent outing against Toronto, he made it through 92 pitches, the most he had thrown in any outing since April 2019.

Thanks to the incongruence in the amount of games played, the NL East standings are a bit murky. The 11-6 Braves, with their .647 winning percentage, are *technically* in second place behind the 7-3 (.700) Marlins, while also *technically* being in first by 1⁄2 game. Luckily, with the funky 2020 playoff rules, all second place teams make the playoffs – so regardless, the Braves are safe for now. Meanwhile, the 4-6 Phillies are in fourth place.

It’s a 6:05pm ET start tonight, an hour earlier than usual, so make sure to tune in on time.

Game Date/Time: Monday, August 10, 6:05 p.m. ET

Location: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

TV: FS1, Fox Sports South

Streaming: MLB.tv

Radio: 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan, WNNX 100.5, Braves Radio Network