Despite the unpleasantness of Wednesday, the Phillies have been playing better lately. They won two consecutive series against probable playoff teams, and the two losses in those series came in games started by beleaguered fifth starter Taijuan Walker.
That sets the stage for this weekend’s four-game set against the Phillies’ division rivals, the Atlanta Braves. With five games separating the teams in the standings, this provides a great opportunity for the Phillies to bury the Braves in the standings...or for the Braves to turn the race for the division title into a close one.