The Atlanta Braves visit the Philadelphia Phillies to open a three-game series at Citizens Bank Park. First pitch is set for 6:40 p.m. ET on April 17, 2026.
Before this matchup, the Braves stood at 12-7, leading the NL East. The Phillies lagged behind at 8-10, placing fourth in the same division. The Braves have consistently performed well in recent seasons, winning the NL East from 2018 to 2023.
However, the Phillies are struggling. They have lost three consecutive series, including back-to-back home losses to Arizona and Chicago. This downturn has raised concerns about their playoff aspirations.
Martin Perez (0-1, 3.14 ERA) is starting for the Braves. He will face Taijuan Walker (1-2, 7.36 ERA), who has had a rough start to the season. The pitching matchup could significantly impact the game’s outcome.
Drake Baldwin leads the Braves with five home runs this season, ranking 12th in MLB. Matt Olson also has five home runs and boasts a batting average of .293. These players contribute significantly to the Braves’ offensive strength.
In contrast, Bryce Harper has four home runs and a batting average of .258 for the Phillies. Kyle Schwarber leads his team with six home runs but has not been enough to turn their fortunes around.
The Braves rank among the top five teams in several offensive categories: home runs, runs per game, extra-base hits, and batting average. This offensive prowess puts them in a favorable position heading into this series.
Yet, despite their recent struggles, the Phillies aim for their fifth consecutive playoff appearance — a franchise record they last achieved from 2007 to 2011.
The outcome of this series could be pivotal for both teams as they navigate through a competitive season.
