The Philadelphia Phillies will open a three-game series against the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park with a lineup designed to stop a recent slide and steady the club in an early NL East race. The game is set for 6:40 p.m., and NBC Sports Philadelphia will carry the broadcast.
Philadelphia has dropped two of its last three series, a stretch that has made this matchup more important than a typical April meeting. Atlanta enters in first place in the division at 12-7, while the Phillies sit fourth at 8-10 and 3 1/2 games back.
Phillies lineup vs. Braves
The Phillies announced their starting group for the game as they look to match up against Braves left-hander Martin Perez. Taijuan Walker is scheduled to start for Philadelphia, and the club is also managing its rotation with Zack Wheeler’s return approaching.
- Taijuan Walker is listed as the Phillies’ starter.
- Martin Perez will start for the Braves.
- The game begins at 6:40 p.m. at Citizens Bank Park.
- NBC Sports Philadelphia will air the matchup.
Walker carries a 1-2 record and a 7.36 ERA into the outing, and his place in the rotation may soon change if Wheeler is cleared to return. That makes this start important not only for the game, but also for how the Phillies handle their pitching depth in the days ahead.
What the matchup means for Philadelphia
A fast start matters for the Phillies because the Braves have already built an early edge in the division. Atlanta’s 12-7 record gives it control of the NL East standings for now, while Philadelphia needs home wins to avoid falling further behind.
The series also gives the Phillies a chance to respond against a longtime rival in front of their own fans. With the season still young, this game offers an immediate test of whether the lineup can produce against a team that has started stronger and arrives with first-place momentum.
Martin Perez gives Atlanta a different look on the mound as a left-handed starter with a 3.14 ERA and an 0-1 record. That creates an early strategic challenge for Philadelphia as it tries to generate offense and support Walker in a game that could help reset the tone of the series.
