Vargas looks to earn first victory as a Phillie against the Braves

The Philadelphia Phillies (74-69) will look to get back in the win column against the Atlanta Braves (90-55) after a disappointing loss in game one of a four game series. Starter Aaron Nola struggled to keep the Braves bats quiet in the first two innings, but finished off strong, only allowing two baserunners from the third inning onward. The Phillies were in striking distance as late as the seventh inning, but a three-run home run from Josh Donaldson off Nick Pivetta sealed the victory for the Braves. Philadelphia once again find themselves three games back of the last NL Wild Card spot.

Jason Vargas will get the ball for the eighth time since being traded to the Phillies at the deadline. He is still looking for his first victory since then. The 36-year-old was solid in his last outing  against Cincinnati, giving up two earned runs through five and a third, earning a no-decision. Max Fried will get the nod for Atlanta. He is tied for the National League lead in wins with Stephen Strasburg at 16 and is coming off an outing in which he threw 7 shutout innings and struck out nine against the Washington Nationals.

Here’s everything you need to know for tonight’s matchup against the Braves…

Braves Lineup

1. Ronald Acuna, Jr. center field
2. Ozzie Albies, second base
3. Freddie Freeman, first base
4. Josh Donaldson, third base
5. Johan Camargo, right field
6. Dansby Swanson, short stop
7. Francisco Cervelli, catcher
8. Austin Riley, left field
9. Max Fried, pitcher

Phillies Lineup

1. Jean Segura, short stop
2. J.T. Realmuto, catcher
3. Bryce Harper, right field
4. Rhys Hoskins, first base
5. Scott Kingery, center field
6. Corey Dickerson, left field
7. Cesar Hernandez, second base
8. Sean Rodriguez, third base
9. Jason Vargas, pitcher

 

Shibe Vintage Sports Starting Pitching Matchup

• Jason Vargas (6-7, 4.27 ERA, 4.68 FIP, 5.43 xFIP) vs. Max Fried (16-4, 3.86 ERA, 3.51 FIP, 3.27 xFIP)
• Vargas failed to last an inning in his only start of this season against Atlanta. Mets manager Mickey Callaway took the ball from Vargas back an April after only recording one out. He gave up four earned runs on two hits and walked three batters. Vargas is 2-2 with a 5.40 ERA in his career against the Braves.
• Like Vargas, Fried has struggled against the Phillies this season. He has given up at least four earned runs in both of his outings as a starter against Philadelphia. He does have two scoreless outings in relief that came in the first series of the season. In his career against the Phillies, Fried is 1-1 with a 4.58 ERA.

Pregame Phillies Nuggets

• Ronald Acuna Jr. is still looking to get out of a slump. Since Aug 17, Acuna is slashing .169/.286/.351 and has a 31.9% K-rate. He led off the game with a solo home run on Monday night, which was only his third home run in that time frame. To put that in perspective, the 21-year-old knocked in 10 home runs from Aug 1-Aug 16.
• The Phillies bullpen has a 6.97 earned run average against the Braves this season. Atlanta hitters have a combined OPS of .917 against the Philadelphia bullpen.
• J.T. Realmuto is 4-for-10 in his career against Fried, with one home run and four RBI. Acuna Jr. is 6-for-9 lifetime against Vargas with one home run and two RBI.
• Scott Kingery holds a slash line of .269/.327.419 in his career against the Braves. He has 10 extra-base hits in 101 plate appearances, including two home runs.

Ticket IQ Programming Information

• 7:05 at Citizens Bank Park
• NBC Sports Philadelphia; MLB Network (out-of-market only)
• Sportsradio 94 WIP; WTTM 1680 (Spanish)