We cap off an early AL East series between the Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves on Thursday night, and it will be the only evening game being played. These teams have split the first two games, with Atlanta taking the first game from Zach Wheeler on Tuesday, and the Phillies answering back with a ninth-inning win last night. The Braves are starting to show signs of life after their nightmarish start to the season, but they are still just 2-9, and tied with the White Sox and Rockies for league futility. Let’s trust the better team here, especially while we are catching them at plus money. My Phillies vs Braves pick is the Phillies on the Money Line.

We have a pitching matchup between two lesser-known starters who are low-key dominant. Spencer Schwellenbach might be the next big thing in baseball. He was dominant in the second half last year, and he has picked right up this year. He has yet to allow a run, and in his last outing, he fanned 10 guys through 8 innings. He is a power arm, but also an efficient one. He will draw Jesus Luzardo, a guy who has always had all the tools, but who has struggled to stay healthy. The lefty has K-ed 19 guys in 12 innings of work so far, including a dominant 7 innings last time to beat the Dodgers. This game is probably settled in the bullpens, and Atlanta’s just blew a game last night. Philly has the better lineup and the better bullpen; give me the Phillies to take this game late.

Phillies vs Braves prediction: Philadelphia ML (+105) available at time of publishing. Playable at that number.

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