Braves, Phillies Close Series in Philadelphia

PHILADELPHIA (Interstat) — The Atlanta Braves will look to complete a series sweep and extend their strong early-season run when they face the Philadelphia Phillies on Sunday at Citizens Bank Park.

First pitch is scheduled for 1:35 p.m. EDT under cloudy skies with a temperature near 58 degrees.

The Braves (13-7) have taken the first two games of the series decisively, including a 9-0 victory on Friday. Atlanta has won seven of its last 10 games. The Phillies (8-11) have dropped four of their last five and will try to salvage the finale before heading out on a road trip.

Atlanta is projected to start right-hander Grant Holmes (1-1). Philadelphia’s probable starter is right-hander Andrew Painter (1-0).

A player to watch for Atlanta is left-hander Martín Pérez, who dominated the Phillies in Friday’s shutout, allowing four hits over six scoreless innings with four strikeouts. For Philadelphia, reliever Tim Mayza will be a key figure; he tossed two scoreless innings in that same loss but allowed three earned runs in an outing against the Chicago Cubs earlier in the week.

The Interstat game simulator projects a 6-3 Braves victory. Atlanta is a pregame favorite with a spread of -1.5. The over/under is set at 8 runs.

Following Sunday’s game, the Braves travel to Washington for a four-game series starting Monday. The Phillies open a four-game set at the Chicago Cubs on Monday. The division rivals will meet again next weekend in Atlanta for a three-game series.