The Phillies would face the Atlanta Braves in the National League Division Series for the second consecutive season. Today we will discuss about Phillies vs Braves: Game 2| Highlights| Prediction.
Phillies vs Braves: Game 2| Highlights| Prediction
Bryce Harper homered, Ranger Suarez and the Philadelphia bullpen suppressed baseball’s most prolific offense, and the Phillies beat the 104-win Atlanta Braves 3-0 in Game 1 of the NL Division Series on Saturday night.
In a playoff rematch between division rivals, the East champion Braves find themselves in exactly the same position as a year ago: trailing the Phillies after the opener at Truist Park.
Game 2
The National League Division Series opened Saturday night at Truist Park and, like last year, the Philadelphia Phillies went on the road and took Game 1 from the Atlanta Braves (PHI 3, ATL 0). Last season’s Game 1 was a chaotic high-scoring affair. Game 1 was very tight this year, with clutch defense and pitching dominance.
Bryce Harper scored Philadelphia’s first two runs in very different ways. He drew a walk in the fourth inning, advanced to second when Spencer Strider threw a pickoff, then scored on Bryson Stott’s two-out, two-strike single. In the sixth, Harper launched a missile of a solo home run. This released his bat at a speed of 115 mph. See this explosion:
Over the past two seasons, Harper has gone 10 for 18 with three home runs against the Braves. He has tortured them. Harper and Stotts combined to go 4 for 5 with a homer and three walks in Game 1. The remaining Phillies achieved 2 of 26 (.077).
Lefty Ranger Suárez started and faced the minimum of three innings, but once the Braves threatened in the fourth, manager Rob Thomson moved to his bullpen. Six relievers – Jeff Hoffman, Seranthani Dominguez, Jose Alvarado, Orion Kerkering, Matt Stram, Craig Kimbrel – held the Braves scoreless over the final 5 1/3 innings.
Highlights
Over the past two seasons, Harper has gone 10 for 18 with three home runs against the Braves. He has tortured them. Harper and Stotts combined to go 4 for 5 with a homer and three walks in Game 1. The remaining Phillies achieved 2 of 26 (.077).
Lefty Ranger Suárez started and faced the minimum of three innings, but once the Braves threatened in the fourth, manager Rob Thomson moved to his bullpen. Six relievers – Jeff Hoffman, Seranthani Dominguez, Jose Alvarado, Orion Kerkering, Matt Stram, Craig Kimbrel – held the Braves scoreless over the final 5 1/3 innings.
Prediction
The Phillies are unique in that they are better built for shorter postseason series than regular season marathons. Even with Zack Wheeler unavailable until Game 2, I’m taking the Phillies in a game that surprisingly isn’t particularly close. Pick: Phillies 6, Braves 1.
