Braves Survive Game 1, Get Win in Big Series vs. Phillies

In the most pivotal series of the season, the Atlanta Braves got off to a good start by taking down the ace of the Philadelphia Phillies in game 1. 

This is potentially a three-game Wild Card series for the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies. Of course, the Braves have the edge coming in with a 2.5 game lead that is now 3.5 after their 2-1 win on Tuesday night.

But you could make the argument coming in that whoever wins this series likely goes on to win the NL East.

That’s a little bit tougher for the Phillies now after they drop game one and fall 3.5 games back — as I mention. They really need to win the next two games to put some pressure on the Braves against the New York Mets over the weekend.

Braves: Charlie Morton Shines in Win

I mentioned in the game preview that this is exactly the type of game the Braves signed Charlie Morton for and boy did he deliver. He tossed 7 shutout innings allowing just 2 hits and 2 walks with 10 strikeouts.

And those 2 hits he surrendered both came in the first inning when it looked like the Phillies might take an early lead.

With two on and no outs he got Bryce Harper to ground into a force out and then got a big strikeout of J.T. Realmuto — two guys who had great numbers against Morton coming in.

And then he escaped the jam by getting Brad Miller to ground out.

He’d retired eight in a row after that before issuing back-to-back walks in the 4th after the Braves had given him a 2-0 lead. Morton struck out Didi Gregorius to end that inning and finished his night retiring 10 of the last 11 batters he faced.

I know Max Fried is the ace of this rotation, but I want Charlie starting Game 1 in a playoff series. He proved why he’s the leader of this staff on Tuesday.

Braves Magic Number at 3

With five games left in the regular season (six if the Braves have to play the make-up game with the Rockies), the Braves need a combination of wins and Phillies losses that reaches three.

Win one more in this series and you have to be feeling pretty good about the Braves winning their fourth straight NL East title.

The aforementioned Max Fried will try to make sure that happens on Wednesday as he faces off against Phillies starter Aaron Nola. Check back on the site Wednesday for a preview of that matchup.