The two top teams in the NL East Division will clash on Monday night, when the Atlanta Braves invade Citizens Bank Park to take on the Philadelphia Phillies. On Sunday, Dansby Swanson’s two-run single capped a six-run ninth inning and give Atlanta a stunning 10-9 victory over Miami. The Braves are 11 games above .500 overall and lead the Phillies by 1.5 games.
Hard-throwing righty Mike Foltynewicz (3-2 2.87 ERA) will take the mound for the Braves in this matchup. Through 47 innings this season, Foltynewicz has struck out 57 batters and owns a 1.34 WHIP.
The Philadelphia Phillies have won 26 of their first 44 games for first year manager Gabe Kapler. The Phillies split a four-game series in St. Louis over the weekend and rank seventh in the majors with a 3.52 team ERA. On Sunday, Philadelphia struck out 14 times during a 5-1 loss.
Twenty-five year old righty Nick Pivetta (3-2 3.72 ERA) will get the nod for the Phillies in the series opener. Pivetta has won consecutive starts, while striking out 18 batters and giving up just one run over his last 12 innings.
