For the second weekend in a row, the NL East leading Phillies will face the third place Atlanta Braves for a three game set. Last weekend was in Philly, this weekend, the teams are in Atlanta as part of baseball's civil rights celebration this weekend.
The Braves are currently 4.5 back (5 in the loss column) and took two of three from the Phils last weekend. However, they would lose the ground they made up with that series when Atlanta lost two of three to the Nationals this week as the Phillies won a series against the Marlins.
Tonight's matchup will pit Cole Hamels against Brandon Beachy. Cole took the loss against the Braves last Sunday despite striking out 9 over 7 innings and giving up three runs. Despite 12 hits, the Phils' offense was only able to muster two runs of support. About a month ago, Hamels threw 7 innings of four hit ball as the Phillies shut out the Braves in Atlanta.
Beachy is 0-3 with a 3.94 ERA in three starts against the Phillies.
Carlos Ruiz was activated off the DL today and will be in the lineup tonight. Chooch took the roster spot of backup catcher Brian Schneider, who was placed on the DL with a hamstring.
The Phillies will be looking for their third straight win in Atlanta tonight.