The NLDS starts on Saturday October 7th in Atlanta and the anticipation is high as the Philadelphia Phillies battle with the Braves in a repeat of the 2022 NLDS.
In last seasons series, the Phillies were the Cinderella team, as they shocked the world by beating the Braves 3-1, on their way to a World Series berth. The edge had to go to Philadelphia, as they got hot at the right time, which carried them into the postseason. Not taking anything away from the Phillies, but the Braves were not the team they are now. Yes, they won the NL East Division in 2022, but the Braves themselves had to battle back down the stretch to take it away from the New York Mets.
In 2023, Atlanta has been the best team all season in all of baseball, even winning eight games of the 13 played against the Phillies. The Braves outscored the Phillies, 58/28, while winning 14 more games then the Phillies did, but we all know that when the postseason starts, none of that matters.
Just like in 2022, the Phillies opened up the postseason in the Wild Card series, while the Braves sat with a bye in the second round. A repeat performance for Philadelphia, as they quickly took care of their opponent, earning a two game sweep of the Miami Marlins, as they did with the St. Louis Cardinals, in the 2022 opening series.
Now the two teams will battle it out for the chance to advance to the NLCS and possibly a chance at a World Series title. Prior to their appearance in the Fall Classic last season, the Phillies last appeared and won a World Series title in 2008, while the Braves last won it all in 2021.
Who Has The Edge On The Offensive Side
Catcher
Braves – Sean Murphy (.251 BA, 21 Doubles, 21 HRs, 68 RBIs)
Phillies – J.T. Realmuto (.252 BA, 28 Doubles, 5 Triples, 20 HRs, 63 RBIs)
Edge: Phillies
First Base
Braves – Matt Olson (.283 BA, 27 Doubles, 3 Triples, 54 HRs, 139 RBIs)
Phillies – Alec Bohm (.274 BA, 31 Doubles, 20 HRs, 97 RBIs)
Edge: Braves
Second Base
Braves – Ozzie Albies (.280 BA, 30 Doubles, 5 Triples, 33 HRs, 109 RBIs)
Phillies – Bryson Stott (.280 BA, 32 Doubles, 2 Triples, 15 HRs, 62 RBIs)
Edge: Braves
Third Base
Braves – Austin Riley (.281 BA, 32 Doubles, 3 Triples, 37 HRs, 97 RBIs)
Phillies – Edmundo Sosa (.251 BA, 15 Doubles, 2 Triples, 10 HRs, 30 RBIs)
Edge: Braves
Shortstop
Braves – Orlando Arcia (..264 BA, 25 Doubles, 17 HRs, 65 RBIs)
Phillies – Trea Turner (.266 BA, 35 Doubles, 5 Triples, 26 HRs, 76 RBIs)
Edge: Phillies
Left Field
Braves – Eddie Rosario (.255 BA, 24 Doubles, 3 Triples, 21 HRs, 74 RBIs)
Phillies – Kyle Schwarber (.197 BA, 19 Doubles, 1 Triples, 47 HRs, 104 RBIs)
Edge: Phillies
Center Field
Braves – Michael Harris II (.293 BA, 33 Doubles, 3 Triples, 18 HRs, 57 RBIs)
Phillies – Brandon Marsh (.277 BA, 25 Doubles, 6 Triples, 12 HRs, 60 RBIs)
Edge: Braves
Right Field
Braves – Ronald Acuna Jr.(.337 BA, 35 Doubles, 4 Triples, 41 HRs, 106 RBIs, 73 SB)
Phillies – Nick Castellanos (.272 BA, 37 Doubles, 2 Triples, 29 HRs, 106 RBIs)
Edge: Braves
DH
Braves – Marcell Ozuna (..274 BA, 29 Doubles, 1 Triple, 40 HRs, 100 RBIs)
Phillies – Bryce Harper (.293 BA, 29 Doubles, 1 Triples, 21 HRs, 72 RBIs)
Edge: Braves
The Starters
Except for the first two games, only the Phillies know who will throw in Game 3, as Aaron Nola will take the mound with a chance to either keep his team in the series, or give the Phillies an edge.
In Game 1, Spencer Strider will take the mound along with his 20 wins and 281 strikeouts, as he looks to keep dominating the opposing offense. Phillies Ranger Suarez, who has spent some time on the DL this season, will look to regain the form that saw him pitch to a 1.23 ERA in the 2022 postseason. But a betting man would have to give the Edge to the Braves.
Game 2, will showcase Zack Wheeler against Max Fried. Fried, who was 8-1, in 14 starts in 2023, held a 2.55 ERA and if not for time on the DL, the Braves may have won more then the 104 games they won this season. So a healthy Fried is almost a sure win for the Braves. Wheeler can be just as dominating on the mound, as he won 13 games, with a 3.61 ERA, and 212 Ks in 32 starts. This will be a tough matchup to predict, but Fried will be the better pitcher.
The Pen
A cast of relievers did a great job for both squads, but it will come down to the men that get paid to close out games, and Phillies have two of the best in Craig Kimbrell and Jose Alvarado. Kimbrell saved 23/28 games, with opponents batting just .181 against him and Alvarado saved 10/12, with opponents batting just .196 against him.
The Braves Raisel Iglesias and A.J. Minter shared the bulk of the closers role with Iglesias saving 33/37 games and Minter 10/13.
If having to give an edge on which team will be able to close out the games in a save situation, the edge will go to the Phillies.
Summary
Overall the Phillies enter into the series with nothing to prove as they have already done the unthinkable once, by taking down the mighty Braves in 2022. The Phillies have history in their favor, and momentum entering the series against an Idle Braves team, but Atlanta has the numbers and the fire power to take this series. It won’t be easy as I see this going the distance, with Braves winning the best of five game series, 3-2.
