Philadelphia @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 31, 2019 ) Atlanta 1, Philadelphia 5

The Philadelphia Phillies completely dominated the Braves in the opening series of the season, but things have changed entering Friday’s opener of a key three-game weekend set in Atlanta. The two teams have not played since Philadelphia outscored the Braves 23-11 in a three-game sweep to open 2019, but Atlanta has won seven straight contests and holds a 1 1/2-game lead in the National League East standings.

The Braves completed a four-game home sweep of Pittsburgh on Thursday with a 6-5 victory and during their winning streak have averaged seven runs per game while reaching double-digits in hits six times. Atlanta second baseman Ozzie Albies is 11-for-26 during the winning streak with three homers, seven RBIs and eight runs scored after doubling home two runs Thursday. The Phillies were off Thursday and hope to play better after losing eight of their past 13 games, allowing five-plus runs seven times in that span. Right fielder Bryce Harper - who made a big splash in his Philadelphia debut by homering twice in the opening series against the Braves - is heating up after an early-season slump, batting .298 with four homers, nine doubles and 19 RBIs in his past 24 contests.

TV: 7:20 p.m. ET, FB-Watch, NBC 10 (Philadelphia), FS South (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Nick Pivetta (4-1, 4.93 ERA) vs. Braves LH Max Fried (7-3, 3.75)

Pivetta has bolstered Philadelphia’s rotation since returning from the minors, going 2-0 in three starts with a 1.80 ERA and a .171 opponents batting average over 20 innings. The 26-year-old pitched his first career complete game Saturday against Cincinnati, giving up one run on six hits with no walks and six strikeouts. Pivetta, who posted a 3.41 ERA in six starts for Triple-A Lehigh Valley before rejoining the Phillies in late May, allowed four runs on eight hits across 4 2/3 innings against Atlanta in his season debut March 30.

Fried rebounded from back-to-back shaky starts to pitch well in a no-decision Sunday at Miami, giving up three runs on six hits with one walk and seven strikeouts over six innings. The 25-year-old had surrendered nine runs on 18 hits over 9 2/3 innings in his previous two outings, after pitching to a 2.96 ERA across his first 10 starts. Fried made two relief appearances against Philadelphia in the season’s opening series, walking two but allowing no runs or hits in 1 2/3 innings.

WALKOFFS

1. Philadelphia begins a stretch of 26 consecutive games against NL East competition, while Atlanta plays division foes in 18 of its next 22 contests.

2. Atlanta CF Ronald Acuña Jr. collected two hits Thursday, giving him at least one hit in 14 of his 16 games.

3. Phillies 2B Cesar Hernandez - moved to the leadoff spot in the lineup after OF Andrew McCutchen was lost for the season with a knee injury - is 5-for-50 in his past 13 games.

PREDICTION: Phillies 5, Braves 3