Phillies v. Braves Preview: Pitching Matchup and Props for Sept. 7

The Philadelphia Phillies will attempt to tie their series with the Atlanta Braves at 1:05 p.m. on Monday, Sept. 7. A win means the Phillies (80-63) can maintain a four game deficit in the National League East with 18 games left to play; a loss will solidify the Braves (85-58) hold on the division crown.

Expect sunny skies and a first pitch temperature of 77 degrees for this Labor Day duel; the thermometer should top out at 80, and humidity between 38 and 45 percent should make for comfortable playing and viewing conditions. Five to ten mile per hour winds out of the north could limit offense to an extent, but Citizens Bank Park’s northeast orientation means they won’t be playing with a direct headwind. 

NBC Sports Philadelphia will carry this broadcast, one that will pit Phillies lefty Jesús Luzardo (3.02 ERA, 169.2 innings pitched, 1.12 WHIP and 11.09 K/9) against Braves righty Bryce Elder (4.11 ERA, 149 innings pitched, 1.27 WHIP and 7.31 K/9).

Pitching Matchup

Luzardo has historically done a good job of limiting offense against the Braves, holding them to a .233/.286/.386 slash line across 176 at-bats. Slugger Lane Thomas (9-for-22 with two doubles and four of Atlanta’s five homers) could be a problem for Luzardo, and is a player to watch for pessimistic Phillies’ bettors.

Philadelphia boasts a 33-for-119 mark against Elder, slashing .277/.348/.420 with four home runs. Bryan De La Cruz (5-for-11 with a double and a homer) and Brandon Marsh (6-for-11 with a double) both tee off against Elder. Luis Arraez (6-for-17 with a homer) and Trea Turner (4-for-14 with a double and a homer) also enjoy modest success.

As a team, the Phillies have just 15 strikeouts in 132 plate appearances (11.4 percent) against Elder, making his under for strikeouts a prop to watch. Luzardo boasts 52 strikeouts in 189 plate appearances (27.5 percent) against the Braves, and his ability to limit offense overall makes him another player to monitor.