Braves vs Phillies Series Preview for Big NL East Clash

It doesn't seem that long ago when the Atlanta Braves (50-35) were trailing the Philadelphia Phillies (44-40) in the NL East by three games, but over the last month, the tides have turned and it's Atlanta who has a stranglehold on the top spot less than a week before the All-Star break.

Atlanta owns a 5.5-game lead in the division, making this a crucial three-game set for Philadelphia, which hasn't done well on the road (17-23) this season.

The Braves offense is coming off a month where they led baseball in runs (187), home runs (56), slugging percentage (.520) and OPS (.872), while the Phillies pitching staff ranked 28th with a woeful 5.63 ERA in June.

It's a new month and you have two division rivals squaring off, meaning anything can happen over the coming days. Here's a look at the pitching matchups for this crucial series for both squads.

July 2: RHP Aaron Nola vs. LHP Dallas Keuchel

Aaron Nola hasn't pitched like the Cy Young-caliber pitcher he was last year, posting a 4.22 ERA over 17 starts, but over his last two starts against the Marlins and Mets he's combined to toss 15 innings while giving up just one earned run on seven hits with 20 strikeouts. Nola has had great success against the Braves over his career, but the last time he faced off against this offense, he lasted only 4.1 innings and gave up five runs on six hits with two walks and four strikeouts.

Dallas Keuchel is still working his way back from a long layoff. In his first two starts as a member of the Braves, the veteran southpaw is 1-0 with a 5.06 ERA, including his last time out against the Cubs where he went 5.2 innings and allowed three runs on eight hits, plus three walks and two strikeouts.

July 3: RHP Nick Pivetta vs. RHP Bryse Wilson

Philadelphia has high hopes for Nick Pivetta, but in 10 starts this season he owns a 5.63 ERA and has just 48 strikeouts over 56 innings. Pivetta has made two starts against Atlanta this season, not fairing well in either. Over 11.1 innings against the Braves in 2019, Pivetta has allowed eight runs on 16 hits with 10 strikeouts.

The Braves are giving right-handed pitcher Bryse Wilson and opportunity to fill the void left by Mike Foltynewicz, who was optioned to Triple-A for poor performance. Unfortunately, Wilson is coming off a rough start against the Cubs where he lasted just 4.1 innings and gave up four runs on six hits despite pitching with a big lead early.

July 4: RHP Zach Eflin vs. RHP Mike Soroka

Zach Eflin has arguably been the Phillies' top starter this year, owning a 3.34 ERA over 16 starts. He is coming off a rough month of June where he posted a 4.02 ERA over five starts, including his last start against the Marlins where he went six innings and gave up three runs on eight hits.

He may be 21 years old, but rookie right-hander Mike Soroka has become the top starter of this rotation, owning a 9-1 record with a 2.13 ERA that led to his first All-Star selection. Soroka wasn't as dominant in the month of June, but he gives the Braves a chance to win every time out.