Philadelphia Phillies vs. Atlanta Braves Prediction, Preview, Picks & Odds - 5/24/2022

Time: 7:20 p.m. ET

Venue: Truist Park, Atlanta, GA

Where to watch: NBC Sports Philadelphia, Bally Sports Southeast

 

 

DraftKings: Braves -155, Phillies +135

BetMGM: Braves -150, Phillies +125

Caesars: Braves -145, Phillies +125

 

Season record (entering Monday)

Phillies: 19-22

Braves: 19-22

 

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I'm already frustrated with the Philadelphia Phillies. It's not that I even liked them to begin with. I can't stand that team with their red and white color scheme and ridiculous mascot who also looks funny.

 

But their play on the field is what angers me. This team should not be so bad. But they are, and even if they played much better than their record indicates in the series opener Monday in Atlanta, I can't trust this group as far as I can throw them.

 

Zack Wheeler went 6.2 innings and struck out 10 as the Phillies actually figured out how to in, 7-3 against the Braves in Atlanta. The Phillies tacked on three runs in the second and third, highlighted by a bases-clearing double from Rhys Hoskins.

“Another very good performance on Wheeler’s part," Phillies manager Joe Girardi said. “I thought he didn’t really lock in until the third inning and then he really seemed to get it going then. He was different."

 

But there's the matter of Bryce Harper going 1-for-5, Nick Castellanos finishing 0-for-5, Kyle Schwarber going 0-for-2, as well. These are your big-money bats and for some reason not one of them is showing any signs of consistency. It's maddening.

 

There's nothing worse than believing in a team that should win more games than it does only for them to fall short. And the fact the New York Mets are running away with the division right now and teams like the Miami Marlins are getting better, there's hardly any room for error right now for the Phillies. They need to start playing better much more consistently if they want to get back in this race.

 

 

The dropoff from the defending World Series champion Atlanta Braves is expected, but somehow they're somewhat staying afloat. Even though that loss to the Phillies was essentially rough, one can say that it was highly expected.

The Braves didn't get their offense going until the latter innings. Dansby Swanson and Austin Riley added runs to the party, but alas, to no avail. Tucker Davidson lasted just 2.2 innings and allowed five runs while walking five and striking out only two.

In short, not a fun day at the office for the Braves.

What might be more agonizing for the Braves is them racking up 11 hits. To bring 11 hits to the board and only drive in three runs is a testament to how much this offense is struggling right now. Sure, four players had multiple hits on this team and things are promising on that front.

At the end of the day, the name of the game is scoring runs ... or holding your opponent to no runs. Either way, no bueno.

 

That being said, I feel the Braves will rebound and get a win. Max Fried will go off against Kyle Gibson, and I think the Braves are to be trusted more. Braves win 6-2

Phillies are 4-2 as an underdog between +125 and +175 this season.

Phillies are 7-5 against left-handed starters this season.

Braves are 8-10 as a home favorite this season.

 

Phillies:

Rhys Hoskins (R) 1B

Alec Bohm (R) 3B

Bryce Harper (L) DH

Nick Castellanos (R) RF

Jean Segura (R) 2B

Kyle Schwarber (L) LF

J.T. Realmuto (R) C

Johan Camargo (S) SS

Roman Quinn (S) CF

SP - Kyle Gibson

 

Braves:

Ronald Acuna Jr. (R) RF

William Contreras (R) LF

Marcell Ozuna (R) DH

Travis d'Arnaud (R) C

Matt Olson (L) 1B

Ozzie Albies (S) 2B

Austin Riley (R) 3B

Adam Duvall (R) CF

Dansby Swanson (R) SS

SP - Max Fried

 

 

Phillies:

Batting average: Two tied -- .292

Hits: Bryce Harper -- 42

Home runs: Kyle Schwarber -- 10

RBI: Bryce Harper -- 27

Wins: Ranger Suarez -- 4

Saves: Corey Knebel -- 8

ERA: Zack Wheeler -- 3.38

 

Braves:

Batting average: Matt Olson -- .244

Hits: Ozzie Albies -- 39

Home runs: Two tied -- 8

RBI: Two tied -- 20

Wins: Two tied -- 4

Saves: Kenley Jansen -- 10

ERA: Kyle Wright -- 2.49

 

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