Max Fried, Braves look to reduce magic number to 1 against Phillies

Coming off of a huge win Tuesday, the Atlanta Braves will try to move closer to a fourth straight division title when they continue their series against the Philadelphia Phillies. Charlie Morton turned in one of his best performances of the season in the opener striking out 10 over seven scoreless frames. Jorge Soler came through with a two-run single in the third off Zack Wheeler and Atlanta held on for dear life in the ninth as Will Smith struck out Freddy Galvis with the bases loaded to seal the win. Wednesday’s game will feature another prime time pitching matchup between Atlanta’s Max Fried and Philadelphia right-hander Aaron Nola.

Fried is coming off one of his best performances of the season in a complete game shutout against the Padres at Petco Park. He has been lights out in September allowing just 19 hits and six runs over five starts. Fried last faced the Phillies on July 23 where he allowed six hits and four runs over five innings. Since that outing, he has a 1.58 ERA and a 2.75 FIP over his next 11 starts.

The results haven’t been there for Nola down the stretch who has a 6.58 ERA in five September starts albeit with a 3.31 FIP and a 2.71 xFIP over that span. He allowed six earned runs over six innings in his last start against Pittsburgh. One of his best starts of the season came against Atlanta on July 25 where he allowed four hits and one run over 8 2/3 innings. Nola has faced the Braves four times this season and has allowed 22 hits and 12 runs in 24 1/3 innings.

Austin Riley went hitless in the opener snapping his career-best 12-game hitting streak. Soler walked and drove in both runs for Atlanta in Tuesday’s win. He’s hitting .265/.351/.505 with 12 home runs and 31 RBI since putting on a Braves uniform.

Game Info

Game Date/Time: Wednesday, September 29, 7:20 p.m. ET

Location: Truist Park, Atlanta, Georgia

TV: Bally Sports South

Streaming: MLB.tv

Radio: 680 AM / 93.7 FM The Fan, WNNX 100.5, Braves Radio Network