The Braves’ primary competition in the National League East has been the Phillies, a team ascending the standings similarly.
With both teams propelled by youth and little salary commitment, the next era of the rivalry might be only beginning. They meet again in Philadelphia beginning Monday night.
The Braves have taken six of nine games against the Phillies thus far.
A few numbers about the Braves’ next opponent:
8-1: The Phillies started slowly, losing two of three in Atlanta and dropping both games in New York. Manager Gabe Kapler was already under fire for spotty challenges and questionable use of the bullpen.
As the schedule turned, so did the Phillies. They went 8-1 in their next nine games against the Marlins, Reds and Rays, three of the worst teams in the league at that time.
The Phillies are now 26-18, sitting 1.5 back from the Braves for the NL East lead.
45: Phillies outfielder Odubel Herrera's on-base streak ended Sunday at 45 games. The Braves know all-too-well how good Herrera can be.
He hit .377 with five homers, 13 RBIs and a 1.210 OPS against the Braves in 16 games last season. He’s only hit .250 in 32 at-bats against the Braves this season, but has three homers, six RBIs and a robbed home run defensively.
Herrera is the second-leading hitter in the bigs entering Monday with a .360 average.
3.56: The Phillies are winning behind an upcoming rotation. Their 3.56 ERA is eighth best in the bigs.
Staff ace Aaron Nola owns a 2.37 ERA and has struck out 57 against 14 walks. Signee Jake Arrieta has 2.82 ERA in 44-2/3 innings. Zach Eflin has a 1.56 mark in four starts.
It still feels like the Phillies need another starter. They could be a team to watch at the deadline.
18-4: The Phillies haven't had much success against the NL East. They're 8-14 in the division.
Yet their other results have been extraordinary. The Phillies have gone 18-4 against the rest of the league, with two of those losses coming over the weekend in a split against the Cardinals.
Seven of 10: The Braves won't see the Phillies again after Wednesday until the end of September. The teams play seven of their final 10 games against each other.
If the standings resemble the present day, those games could decide a playoff spot.
