Series Preview 4/14-4/17: Braves at Phillies

A red hot Justin Upton and Freddie Freeman lead the Braves north to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, home of an equally as hot Chase Utley and the Phillies for Atlanta’s first 4 game set of 2014, and we’ve got your series preview right here at Tomahawk Take!

Game 1:

7:05 EST, Monday, April 14th

Probables: Ervin Santana (1-0, 0.00 ERA) vs Roberto Hernandez (1-0, 4.35 ERA)

Game 2:

7:05 EST, Tuesday, April 15th

Probables: David Hale (0-0, 2.89 ERA) vs Cliff Lee (2-1, 5.50 ERA)

Game 3:

7:05 EST, Wednesday, April 16th

Probables:  Julio Teheran (1-1, 2.84 ERA) vs TBA

Game 4:

1:05 EST, Thursday, April 17th

Probables:  Alex Wood (2-1, 1.89 ERA) vs Jonathan Pettibone (0-0, 1.80 ERA)

Things To Look For:

• With as hot as brother Justin has been on his way to being named NL Player of the Week, it’s easy to overlook that older brother B.J. Upton now has consecutive multi-hit games.  It’s baby steps in a big process, but further production for Upton’s place in the second spot in the order could be something to look for.
• Phillies ace Cliff Lee has been anything but early on in 2014, surrendering a league leading 29 hits in 18 innings.  Although not likely to stick, it could be an opportune time for the Braves to jump on someone who has had their number in the past, pitching to the tune of a 10.2 K/P with a 2.80 ERA in 99.2 innings in his career against Atlanta.
• Longtime thorn in Atlanta’s side Chase Utley leads the majors in batting average, on base percentage, slugging percentage, OPS, and OPS+.  And you thought Freddie Freeman was raking.
• Ervin Santana has only faced the Phillies once in his career, so look for unfamiliarity to sway tonight’s outcome.