Braves at Phillies
Rhys Hoskins did not hit a home run Monday, but the rookie sensation nonetheless delivered another big blow and his Philadelphia Phillies look to continue their dominance over the visiting Atlanta Braves on Tuesday. Hoskins’ streak of five consecutive games with a homer ended, but his sixth-inning RBI double plated the go-ahead run and helped the Phillies make it a perfect 8-0 against the Braves in Philadelphia this season after Monday’s 6-1 victory.
Hoskins has developed into one of the top stories in baseball this month, hitting .309 through the first 19 games of his major-league career with 11 homers and 25 RBIs after a two-hit performance in the series opener. Philadelphia has won only 49 games this season, but 24.5 percent of its victories in 2017 have come against Atlanta as the Phillies improved to 12-2 versus the Braves. Atlanta tumbled to a season-worst 15 games under .500, mustering just seven hits in falling for the fourth time in five games. One lone bright spot for Atlanta continues to be the play of third baseman Brandon Phillips, who is hitting .362 during his current 13-game hitting streak while moving within one hit of 2,000 for his career.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, FSN Southeast (Atlanta), CSN Philadelphia
PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH R.A. Dickey (8-8, 4.06 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Mark Leiter Jr. (2-3, 3.86)
The 42-year-old Dickey, who indicated last weekend he is considering retirement after the season, has provided the Atlanta rotation with veteran stability in making 25 starts so far in 2017. He got a no-decision Wednesday against Seattle, allowing four runs on 11 hits in six innings. Dickey, who opened the month with back-to-back victories over Miami and St. Louis, is 1-0 with a 0.64 ERA in two starts against the Phillies this season.
Leiter Jr. carried a no-hitter into the sixth inning in his last start, striking out five while allowing only one hit in seven scoreless innings Wednesday against Miami. He struggled in his previous start eight days earlier, allowing eight runs (four earned) on seven hits across five innings in a loss at San Diego. The 26-year-old has bounced between the rotation and the bullpen, posting a 3.18 ERA in five starts compared to a 4.50 ERA in 16 relief appearances.
WALK-OFFS
1. Philadelphia 2B Cesar Hernandez doubled and walked in four plate appearances Monday, and is hitting .333 in 14 games against Atlanta this season.
2. Braves SS Dansby Swanson has recorded at least one hit in 13 of his past 16 games, batting .367 in that span.
3. Take out their dominance of the Braves, and the Phillies are 42 games under .500 (37-79) against the rest of baseball.