MLB Game Preview: Atlanta Braves (14-7) vs. Philadelphia Phillies (8-12)

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Venue, Date & Start Time

Location: Citizens Bank Park — Philadelphia, PA

First Pitch: 7:20 PM ET (NBC/Peacock broadcast)

Weather: 55°F at gametime (ESPN)

Injury Report

Atlanta Braves

Raisel Iglesias (RP), Blake Burkhalter (RP), Sean Murphy (C), Spencer Strider (SP), Ha‑Seong Kim (SS) listed on team injury report.

Philadelphia Phillies

Full injury report listed by ESPN; no major new absences reported for Apr 19.

Team Records & Statistical Profile

Atlanta Braves (14–7)

Record: 14–7 (1st NL East)

Runs Scored: 106

Team AVG: .276

OBP: .341

SLG: .449

ERA: 2.93 (1st in MLB)

WHIP: 1.10

Runs Allowed: 62 (2nd fewest MLB)

Bullpen: 6 saves, 100% save rate (0 blown saves)

Recent Form: W4 entering Apr 19

Philadelphia Phillies (8–12)

Record: 8–12 (4th NL East)

Team AVG: .224

OBP: .303

SLG: .369

ERA: 4.88

WHIP: 1.41

Runs Scored: 73

Runs Allowed: 100

Recent Form: L4 entering Apr 19

Recent Team Form

Braves — Last 5

W, W, W, W, L (4‑game win streak)

Phillies — Last 5

L, L, L, L, W (4‑game losing streak)

Probable Pitching Matchup

ATL — Grant Holmes (RHP)

Record: 1–1

ERA: 3.32

WHIP: 1.11

IP: 21.2

K/BB: 17 K / 10 BB

HR Allowed: 2

PHI — Andrew Painter (RHP)

Record: 1–0

ERA: 3.77

WHIP: 1.33

IP: 14.1

K/BB: 16 K / 3 BB

HR Allowed: 0

Key Player Matchups

Atlanta Braves

Matt Olson: 5 HR, .296 AVG, 15 RBI

Drake Baldwin: .318 AVG, 19 RBI, .523 SLG (team batting leader)

Philadelphia Phillies

Kyle Schwarber: 6 HR, 12 RBI (team HR leader)

Brandon Marsh: .281 AVG, .438 SLG (team AVG leader)

Series History & Context

Braves have won the first two games of the series and remain the only MLB team without a series loss in 2026.

Phillies have lost three straight home series, including vs. Arizona and Chicago.

Both teams have combined to win the last eight NL East titles.

Betting Trends

Braves: 5.6 runs/game (3rd MLB) and 2.93 ERA (1st MLB) — elite balance.

Phillies: 4.88 ERA, struggling bullpen, and 5–9 home record.

Matchup Predictor: ATL 54.7%, PHI 45.3%.

Game Odds

Atlanta Braves                  8.5

Philadelphia Phillies       – 120

Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Saturday, April 18, 2026