Braves' opponent: Philadelphia Phillies
Keep an eye on: The Phillies' home-road splits. Yes, they've had a miserable start to their season, but the worst of it has come on the road. Through Wednesday, the Phillies were 1-6 on the road but 4-5 at Citizens Bank Park. Philadelphia is last in the majors in runs scored with 41 runs through the first 16 games (2.56 runs per game.)
Who's hot: Cody Asche is a rare hot bat in the Phillies lineup, leading the team in batting average (.340), on-base percentage (.392), hits (16) and home runs (two.)
Who's not: Chase Utley needed a single in the first inning Wednesday to snap an 0-for-21 streak, the second-longest hitless streak of his career. He's hitting just .120 on the season.
Braves connection: Aaron Harang opens the series against the team that helped make him an attractive free agent to the Phillies last winter. Harang was a solid member of the Braves rotation last season, going 12-12 with a 3.57 ERA. Former Brave Jeff Francoeur benefitted from his work in spring training with Phillies hitting consultant (and former manager) Charlie Manuel and made the opening day roster. He homered the second game of the year, one of his two now on the season. He's actually been batting cleanup, although he is hitting only .225 (9-for-40) overall.
In the news: Neither Ryan Howard (.196) or Chase Utley (.120) is hitting, Cole Hamels is giving up home runs (seven in three starts already) and Jonathan Papelbon is (what's new) disgruntled. It's added up to a 5-11 start for the Phillies, including nine losses in their past 11 games.
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