The Atlanta Braves (62-46) and Philadelphia Phillies (49-59) will open up a three-game National League East series on Monday night at Citizens Bank Park, with the first pitch scheduled for 7:05 ET
Atlanta Braves at Philadelphia Phillies
Atlanta finished off an 8-2 homestand with a five-run home victory over the Houston Astros on Sunday afternoon, as its veteran leader continues to put together a solid offensive season. Braves third baseman Chipper Jones is hitting .364 since the middle of June, which has raised his season average to .320 after getting two hits in four at-bats to finish out the weekend. The club has won six straight games in this series, which has served as payback to finishing last year with three losses against the Phillies en route to missing the 2011 MLB playoffs. Atlanta is 1-12 when playing on Monday this year, with the “under” going 8-5 in those contests.
Braves starting pitcher Ben Sheets (3-1, 1.46 ERA) is coming off his worst start of the 2012 campaign, suffering a 4-2 home loss to the Miami Marlins, allowing season-highs in hits (11) and runs (4). The right-hander earned a 4-0 victory over the Washington Nationals in his only road outing on July 21, tossing six shutout frames. In nine career games versus the Phillies, Sheets has compiled a 3-4 record and 4.50 ERA, including a 2-2 mark and 2.70 ERA in five appearances at this ballpark.
Philadelphia has moved out of the NL East cellar for the first time since June 27, picking up a 5-4 come-from-behind victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks on Sunday. The Phillies will hope to ride a wave of momentum into this contest, considering they’ve won back-to-back series since the Trade Deadline. Philadelphia is 1-8 as a home underdog of +100 to +125 this season, but 40-19 in August since the start of the 2010 season.
Phillies starting pitcher Vance Worley (6-6, 3.63 ERA) has led the club to three wins in his last four starts, earning a 3-2 road victory over the Washington Nationals last time out. The right-hander is 2-3 with a 4.73 ERA in nine home outings, with opposing hitters batting .284 against him. In five career games (three starts) versus the Braves, Worley has captured a 1-0 record and 2.37 ERA.
Sports bettors will likely back the Phillies due to their 8-3 mark following a win, while the Braves are 37-46 on the road with a money line of -100 to -125 since 2010
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