The Atlanta Braves, who are bad, come to Philadelphia for a three-game set against the hometown Phillies, who are worse. 2016 ended with the Braves three games worse than the Phillies, leading some to make the case that the Phillies were ahead of the struggling Braves in the teams’ respective rebuilding phases. 2017, however, has been a freefall for Philadelphia, and they aren’t ahead of any team in this year’s standings.
Still, the Phillies have walked all over the Braves this year, losing to them only twice in 13 games.
WHAT TO EXPECT
It’s nearly September in what has been something of a lost season for the Phillies, and they’re beginning a series against a team with no postseason hopes of its own.