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Series Preview: Atlanta Braves battle Phillies for first place in NL East

By Jake Mastroianni

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 31: Jean Segura #2 of the Philadelphia Phillies is late on the tag for a steal by Ozzie Albies #1 of the Atlanta Braves in the second innings at Citizens Bank Park on March 31, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MARCH 31: Jean Segura #2 of the Philadelphia Phillies is late on the tag for a steal by Ozzie Albies #1 of the Atlanta Braves in the second innings at Citizens Bank Park on March 31, 2019 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Drew Hallowell/Getty Images) /
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SAN DIEGO, CA – JUNE 3: Aaron  Nola #27 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park June 3, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA – JUNE 3: Aaron  Nola #27 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches during the first inning of a baseball game against the San Diego Padres at Petco Park June 3, 2019 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /

Game 2 – Aaron Nola vs Sean Newcomb

The Phillies ace, Aaron Nola, has not pitched very ace-like this season with an ERA of 4.58 entering Saturday’s start against the Atlanta Braves.

He was brilliant against the Braves on Opening Day giving up just 1 run on 2 hits and 5 walks with 8 strikeouts over 6 innings.

After a very rough April in which the Phillies went 1-4 in his starts, he bounced back in May as the Phillies went 6-0 in his starts and he lowered his ERA from 5.68 to 4.18.

But his first two starts in June have been spectacular, although, he did have a quality start against the Padres in his last outing.

He’s 8-3 against the Atlanta Braves in his career with a 2.05 ERA in 83.1 innings pitched with 68 strikeouts.

Josh Donaldson (3-for-8) and Acuna (3-for-7) have hit him pretty well. Freeman (7-for-28) and Markakis (8-for-30) have been decent against him.

This might be a good game to give Swanson a breather as he’s just 2-for-13 against the righty.

We really have no idea what we’ll get from Sean Newcomb on Saturday. He struggled as a starter to beging the season and was sent down to Triple-A where he seemed to find some command.

Since coming back he’s worked strictly out of the bullpen where he’s given up just 3 runs in 16 outings (19 innings), while walking just 2 batters with 21 strikeouts.

He bailed out Kevin Gausman on Monday going 4.2 innings in relief and allowing just 1 hit with 6 strikeouts in a scoreless outing to get his first win of the season.

Newcomb is 1-1 with a 2.65 ERA lifetime against the Phillies in 17 innings with 16 strikeouts.

Bryce Harper (3-for-9, 2 HR) and Cesar Hernandez (3-for-7) have hit him pretty well in a limited sample size for most Phillies hitters.

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