The set-up: The Philadelphia Phillies are in fourth-place in the NL East standings and the Atlanta have resided in fifth-place in that same division since the start of the 2016 season. However, as the two teams open a three-game series in Philadelphia on Friday, both are hoping to continue what's been much better play of late. Philadelphia finished August at 12-14 and is 25-28 since July 1, while the Braves are 18-17 since July 26.
The pitching matchup: Joel De La Cruz (0-7, 4.66 ERA) takes the mound for the Braves and Jeremy Hellickson (10-8, 3.80 ERA) gets the ball for the Phillies. De La Cruz has made 15 appearances in 2016, including eight starts. He's 0-6 in those eight starts (Braves are 2-6), allowing 22 ERs and 14 walks in 41 innings (4.83 ERA). The Phillies tried to move Hellickson but were unable to find a trade partner. Sometimes, the trades a team doesn't make are the best ones. Hellickson is three victories shy of matching his career high in 2011 (13) while posting his lowest ERA since 2012 (3.10). He needs five strikeouts to set a career high (135 in 2013).


The pick: As noted above, both teams enter playing much better the last month or so but the pitching matchup in Friday's game give Philadelphia the big edge. Yes, the Braves are 18-17 since July 26 but De La Cruz has lost four of his five August starts, posting a 5.47 ERA. Meanwhile, Hellickson is 4-1 with a 3.19 ERA his past seven starts (Phillies are 6-1). The Phillies are an 8* play.