The Atlanta Braves are quickly establishing themselves as the best in the National League East. Despite early injuries to the pitching rotation and struggles at the plate by marquee players. the Braves are climbing the standing and putting distance between them and their counter parts. After sweeping the Washington Nationals, the Braves will look to extend their win streak to four while starting a series with the Philadelphia Phillies.
The Braves opened up at the plate against the Nationals on Sunday, winning 10-2. Atlanta got home runs from Justin Upton, Freddie Freeman and Andrelton Simmons, while the team totaled 23 runs and 33 hits in the three-game series. Upton is leading the effort. He is 11 for 14 in his last four games which includes four homers and eight RBIs. He went just 6 for 30 in his first eight games.
Atlanta is knee deep in a stretch of games all against division opponents, so getting wins now is crucial. After earning the most intradivision wins last season in the NL, Atlanta would like to continue that streak. They fared well against the Phillies last season, winning the series 11-8 while putting up 4.9 runs per game.
The Braves will hope Ervin Santana can follow-up a solid debut with another strong game against Philadelphia. He gave up just three hits over eight shutout innings in his debut against the Mets. He is 14-9 with a 3.67 ERA in his career. In his only start against the Phillies, Santana gave up one run and two hits over seven innings.
Winning will be tough as the Braves face Chase Utley who was 3 for 4 on Sunday, remaining one of the ht0test hitters in the league. Philadelphia will send Roberto Hernandez to the mound. He allowed three runs and five innings in the team's loss to Milwaukee. His only start against Atlanta came in 2007.
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