Phillies, Braves Battle in Doubleheader Duel

Philadelphia Phillies vs Atlanta Braves May 29th 2025

The Braves will take on the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park on Thursday, May 29, 2025. This afternoon game is set to start at 1:05 PM. Fans can expect an exciting game as these two teams meet on the field.

AJ Smith-Shawver will start for the Braves with an ERA of 3.67 and a WHIP of 1.42. Cristopher Sánchez will be on the mound for the Phillies, bringing an ERA of 3.17 and a WHIP of 1.26. Both pitchers aim to lead their teams to victory in this matchup.

Braves vs Phillies Key Information

Sport: Baseball
Teams: Braves vs. Phillies
Venue: Citizens Bank Park
Date: Thursday, May 29, 2025
Betting Odds: Phillies -1.5 (+147), Braves +1.5 (-177), Phillies MoneyLine -146, Braves MoneyLine +122, Over/Under 8.5

The Braves Can Win If…

The Atlanta Braves are coming off a narrow 2-0 loss against the Philadelphia Phillies. Despite the loss, Spencer Strider had a strong performance on the mound, allowing only one hit and striking out seven over 4 2/3 innings. The Braves’ hitters, including Ronald Acuña Jr., Marcell Ozuna, and Ozzie Albies, each collected a hit, showing their ability to get on base.

Key stats highlight why the Braves can win their next game. They have a solid team batting average of .246, ranking 11th in the league. Their pitching staff has also been effective, with a team ERA of 3.71 and a batting average against of .233, which ranks sixth in the league.

Matt Olson is a player to watch with 12 home runs and 29 RBIs, leading the team in both categories. Marcell Ozuna and Austin Riley also contribute significantly to the offense, with batting averages of .279 and .272, respectively. With AJ Smith-Shawver on the mound, who has a 3.67 ERA, the Braves have the tools to secure a win against the Phillies.

The Phillies Can Win If…

The Philadelphia Phillies head into their next game with momentum from a recent 2-0 win over the Atlanta Braves. Ranger Suárez was strong on the mound, pitching six innings with eight strikeouts and no runs allowed. Alec Bohm was a key player, scoring both runs, while Max Kepler contributed with an RBI double.

The Phillies have a solid team hitting record this season, ranking fourth in batting average at .259 and third in on-base percentage at .336. Their lineup is led by Kyle Schwarber, who has 18 home runs and 40 RBIs. The team’s ability to draw walks, with 204 on the season, ranks them sixth, showing their patience at the plate.

On the pitching side, Cristopher Sánchez will start for the Phillies with a 3.17 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP. The Phillies lead the league in strikeouts with 531, showcasing their pitching strength. Their 30 quality starts are also the most in the league, indicating consistent performances from their starting rotation.

The Lean

The Phillies are the favorite with a moneyline of -146, while the Braves sit at +122. Given the Phillies’ strong hitting stats, including a .259 batting average and 58 home runs, they have an edge. My model projects the Phillies to win with a score of 5-3, making them the pick for the moneyline.

The over/under is set at 8.5, with the under slightly favored at -119. Both teams have solid pitching, with the Phillies having a 3.65 ERA and the Braves a 3.71 ERA. My model predicts a total score of 8, suggesting the under is the better pick.

Phillies, Braves Set for High-Stakes Doubleheader Duel

It’s been delay after delay for baseball fans on the East Coast, but Thursday brings double the drama as the Philadelphia Phillies host the Atlanta Braves for a day-night doubleheader after Wednesday’s rainout.

Philly is playing like a team possessed. They’ve won 10 of their last 11 games, including Tuesday’s 2-0 win in the opener of this division rivalry series. Dominant pitching, timely hits, and gritty wins — this is the version of the Phillies fans have been waiting for.

And now, they’ve got two games to keep the heat on the rest of the National League.

Game 1: Cristopher Sanchez Looks to Keep Braves Off Balance

Cristopher Sanchez (4-1, 3.17 ERA) has been the definition of steady this season. He’s allowed three or fewer runs in 9 of his 10 starts, keeping games competitive and minimizing damage.

Facing the Braves, however, hasn’t historically been his strong suit. He’s 0-3 with a 4.32 ERA against Atlanta in his career — though this will be his first start against them in 2025.

Manager Rob Thomson is well aware of the challenge:
“That’s a good lineup against left-handed pitching,” he said. “We’ll need Sanchez sharp early.”

Braves Counter With Smith-Shawver After Bumpy Start

The Braves will send AJ Smith-Shawver (3-2, 3.67 ERA) to the mound. The young righty looked electric early in May, but he’s coming off a clunker — seven earned runs in three innings against the Nationals.

Still, the upside is there. Before that, he had surrendered just one earned run in nearly 20 innings across three starts. He’s never faced the Phillies in the regular season.

Looking to dig deeper into this matchup? Explore more on the MLB pick page.

Game 2: Ace vs. Ace — Wheeler Meets Sale in Marquee Nightcap

Zack Wheeler (6-1, 2.42 ERA) is pitching like a man on a mission. Over his last three starts, he’s tossed 22 2/3 straight scoreless innings, including 6 2/3 shutout frames against Oakland last Friday.

It’s a stark contrast to his April 8 outing against the Braves, when he gave up five runs in just over five innings. He didn’t take the loss, but the frustration was clear.

“I was mad at myself for not bearing down,” Wheeler said after that game. “That made me mad.”

Since then, Wheeler has been locked in — and Thursday night, he’ll get a chance to rewrite the narrative.

Sale Brings the Heat, Minus the Hype

Chris Sale (2-3, 3.36 ERA) is quietly returning to ace form. Though his season record doesn’t show it, he’s posted a 1.90 ERA over his last seven starts and looked sharp in his most recent outing — 7 IP, 1 ER vs. San Diego.

He’s also facing the Phillies for just the sixth time in his career, holding a 1-2 record with a 5.46 ERA. And like Wheeler, Sale struggled when these two faced off on April 8, allowing five runs in under five innings.

Will this be a redemption night for both pitchers?

Want more breakdowns like this one? Visit the MLB expert betting guide for analysis.

What’s the Status of Bryce Harper?

The Phillies may be without star slugger Bryce Harper in at least one of Thursday’s games after he was hit on the elbow by a Spencer Strider fastball during Tuesday’s game.

X-rays were negative — he’s dealing with a contusion — but no word yet on his availability for the doubleheader. The Phillies won’t rush him back unless he’s 100%.

“He’s one of the best players of this century,” Strider said. “He needs to be on the field. That’s best for the game.”

Braves Looking to Break Skid

Atlanta isn’t coming into this doubleheader in top form. The Braves have dropped five of their last six, and with the Phillies catching fire, this could be a pivotal point in the NL East race.

Offensive inconsistency has been the issue, with the Braves averaging under four runs per game during their recent slide.

For standings and NL East outlook, check the MLB team page.

Head-to-Head: How These Teams Match Up

Recent Meetings

April 8 (ATL 7, PHI 5): Wheeler vs. Sale, both struggled
May 28 (PHI 2, ATL 0): Suarez dominates as Phillies take opener
Phillies are 2-1 against Atlanta this season heading into the twin bill

Bullpen Advantage

Phillies: Top-5 bullpen ERA since May 1
Braves: Struggled with middle relief during skid

Lineup Depth

Phillies: Trea Turner, Nick Castellanos, Alec Bohm are heating up
Braves: Still missing the big bat moments from Austin Riley and Matt Olson

FAQs

Who’s pitching in Game 1 of the doubleheader?

Cristopher Sanchez (PHI) vs. AJ Smith-Shawver (ATL)

What’s Zack Wheeler’s ERA vs. Atlanta?

Wheeler is 13-8 with a 3.10 ERA against the Braves in his career.

Will Bryce Harper play Thursday?

His status is questionable after getting hit in the elbow Tuesday. X-rays were negative, and he’s day-to-day.

Is Chris Sale turning it around?

Yes — he’s posted a 1.90 ERA in his last seven starts, including a gem vs. the Padres last week.

What’s the Phillies’ record in their last 11 games?

They’ve gone 10-1, including a shutout win on Tuesday.

How has AJ Smith-Shawver performed in 2025?

He’s been solid overall but gave up seven runs in his most recent outing.

Conclusion: Phillies Look to Deliver a Double Dose of Wins

Doubleheaders are rare — and series-defining — especially between two powerhouses like Philadelphia and Atlanta.

The Phillies are on a heater, and they’ve got two quality arms in Sanchez and Wheeler ready to go. But the Braves, even with recent struggles, are never easy outs.

From ace battles to bullpen chess, this doubleheader will showcase postseason-style baseball in May.

Philadelphia Phillies vs Atlanta Braves Picks and Predictions May 29th 2025