Braves vs. Phillies: Game 1 prediction, odds, injuries and picks

A barn burner between National League East rivals is set to commence as the Braves host the Phillies for a three-game series starting on Friday. In the previous outing between the two sides in May, the Phillies walked away with the series win in Philadelphia.

Atlanta is coming off a series loss to the Mets in Queens. Likewise, the Phils were outclassed in Houston, having been swept by the Astros in their three-game series.

Bryce Elder will make his 12th start of the year for Atlanta. The former All-Star has hit a rough patch this year, having compiled only a 2-4 record and a 4.77 ERA across 66 innings. On the other hand, Phillies upstart Mick Abel has been impressive in his maiden season in the league. Abel owns a 2-1 record and a 3.47 ERA in five starts.

Braves vs. Phillies recent form and records

Ronald Acuna Jr. and company hold a 37-43 record. In spite of their dismal results, they have been impressive at home with a 22-15 win-loss record.

Philadelphia, on the other hand, has surrendered the NL East lead after its three-game skid against the Astros.

Braves vs. Phillies odds

Money Line: ATL (-164), PHI (+150)

Run Spread: ATL -1.5 (+117), PHI +1.5 (-139)

Total Runs: O 9.5 (+102), U 9.5 (-124)

Braves vs. Phillies injuries

ATL injury report

Chris Sale (SP): 15-day IL (rib)
AJ Smith-Shawver: 60-day IL (torn UCL)
Daysbel Hernandez (RP): 15-day IL (forearm)
Reynaldo Lopez (SP): 60-day IL (shoulder)
Joe Gimenez (RP): 60-day IL (knee)

PHI injury report

Aaron Nola (SP): 15-day IL (ankle)
Bryce Harper (1B): 10-day IL (wrist)

Braves vs. Phillies projected lineup

ATL starting lineup

Ronald Acuna Jr. (RF)
Matt Olson (1B)
Marcell Ozuna (DH)
Austin Riley (3B)
Drake Baldwin (C)
Ozzie Albies (2B)
Alex Verdugo (LF)
Michael Harris II (CF)
Nick Allen (SS)
Bryce Elder (SP, 2-4 | 4.77 ERA | 55 K)

PHI projected lineup

Trea Turner (SS)
Kyle Schwarber (DH)
Alec Bohm (3B)
Nick Castellanos (RF)
Max Kepler (LF)
J.T. Realmuto (C)
Bryson Stott (2B)
Otto Kemp (1B)
Brandon Marsh (CF)
Mick Abel (SP, 2-1 | 3.47 ERA | 18 K)

Braves vs. Phillies picks and game prediction

Atlanta is slightly favored heading into the matchup, given their impressive home record and Philadelphia's latest skid. However, with the intensity of the rivalry, it should be a close fight between the NL East combatants.

Run Line: PHI +1.5 (-139)

Total Runs: O 9.5 (+102)

Prediction: ATL wins, 8-7

About the author

Daniel Santiago is a journalist who has been reporting on baseball at Sportskeeda since 2022. He was drawn towards the sport after the underlying statistics and the analysis surrounding it grabbed his attention.

Daniel particularly enjoys furnishing reports about historic events in baseball and analyzing the game through a statistic-based outlook, based on Fangraphs and Baseball-Reference. This is in line with how he enjoyed watching baseball as a pastime. As a writer, he is very particular about cross-checking from reputable sources and doing his due diligence.

He became a lifelong Hideki Matsui fan after his exploits in the 2009 World Series for the New York Yankees. Among the current generation, Daniel's favorites include Shohei Ohtani and Jung Hoo Lee. Daniel is a huge follower of Asian baseball and both Ohtani and Lee have been in the top echelon of their respective leagues during their time with the NPB and KBO.

His favorite moment as a baseball fan was the final at-bat of the 2023 World Baseball Classic between Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout. He believes there aren't many words to fittingly describe the intensity of the moment.

As an avid sports fan, Daniel watches other sports and Esports when not writing about baseball.

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Edited by Daniel Santiago

Braves vs. Phillies: Game 1 prediction, odds, injuries and picks - June 27, 2025