Braves' opponent: Philadelphia Phillies
Keep an eye on: The red-hot Phillies. They enter the series with the worst record in baseball on the season (38-63 entering Thursday) but the best since the All-Star break. The Phillies won nine of their first 10 games coming out of the break heading into Wednesday's game against Toronto. The Phillies have scored five or more runs in seven of those 10 games.
Who's hot: Domonic Brown entered Wednesday with two three-hit games in his past three starts. He was 10-for-his-past-20 (.500) with a double and a triple.
Who's not: Carlos Ruiz was 1-for-his-past-17 (.059) entering Wednesday.
Braves connection: Jeff Francoeur has put on a clinic in the clutch over the past week or two, hitting three late-game homers for the Phillies. He hit a pinch-hit three-run homer July 17 against the Marlins. Two days later he hit a walk-off homer against the Marlins. Then on Friday he hit a game-winning two-run homer in the top of the 10th against the Cubs. He's been mentioned as a possible trade candidate as well - a potential bench piece for a contending team. Former Brave Aaron Harang (foot) returns from the DL Thursday for his first start since July 1. He had lost eight straight starts before going on the DL with plantar fasciitis.
In the news: The Phillies traded veteran closer Jonathan Papelbon to the Nationals on Tuesday, fulfilling Papelbon's wishes, and turning the job over to Ken Giles. Right on cue, Giles recorded his second career save Tuesday night. Cole Hamels, who is tentatively scheduled to start Friday night's game for the Phillies, could be next on the trading block.
