Philadelphia @ Atlanta preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 12, 2019 ) Atlanta 5, Philadelphia 9

An encouraging sign for the Atlanta Braves as they close in on the National League East crown is the play of second baseman Ozzie Albies, who enters Tuesday’s home series opener against the Philadelphia Phillies hitting .345 with a 1.048 OPS in September. The 22-year-old switch hitter, who struggled badly late last season and hit just .231 against right-handed pitching in 2018, is batting .265 against right-handers this season and overall is 13-for-31 in his past seven games.

Albies’ offensive production of late is a reason why the Braves, who began Monday with a magic number of four to clinch their second consecutive division title, are 7-4 through the first 11 games of a 14-game stretch against division foes Washington and Philadelphia. Atlanta’s next home run will break the franchise record of 235 (first set in 2003) as three Braves approach 40 homers: outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (39), first baseman Freddie Freeman (38) and third baseman Josh Donaldson (37). Philadelphia split a four-game home series with the Braves last week, only to get swept in a two-game weekend set by Boston to slide 4 1/2 games out of the second NL wild card spot entering Monday as they embark on an 11-game road trip. Catcher J.T. Realmuto has homered five times in his past 11 games - hitting two against the Braves last week - and in that stretch is batting .311 with 11 RBIs and eight runs scored.

TV: 7:20 p.m. ET, NBCS Philadelphia, FS Southeast (Atlanta)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Phillies RH Vince Velasquez (6-7, 4.95 ERA) vs. Braves LH Dallas Keuchel (8-5, 3.35)

Velasquez seeks a strong finish to a season in which he has struggled, posting a 5.48 ERA with 64 hits and 14 homers allowed in 64 innings across 14 starts since returning from the bullpen in mid June. The 27-year-old gave up four runs on six hits with four walks over 4 1/3 innings in a no-decision Sept. 8 at the New York Mets, five days after going just three innings in a start at Cincinnati while allowing one run on four hits with five strikeouts. Velasquez, who is 5-6 in 20 starts with a 5.01 ERA and 1.34 WHIP in 2019, has surrendered four runs on five hits over 2 2/3 innings in two appearances (one start) against the Braves in 2019.

Keuchel has pitched like an ace in his past six starts, winning five consecutive outings while pitching to a 0.97 ERA with 12 walks, 35 strikeouts and four runs allowed across 37 innings - going at least six frames in each start. The 31-year-old held the Phillies to one run on three hits with three walks and eight strikeouts in a 3-1 victory Wednesday, five days after giving up six hits against Washington across six shutout innings. Keuchel, who makes his 17th start since signing with Atlanta in June, is 1-1 with a 2.08 ERA and 1.00 WHIP in 13 innings against Philadelphia this season.

WALK-OFFS

1. Philadelphia 1B Rhys Hoskins hit his 28th homer in the second inning Sunday, giving him 12 extra-base hits (eight doubles, one triple, three homers) and 11 runs scored in his past 17 games.

2. Atlanta is 11-0-4 in its past 15 series (not counting the single makeup game in Colorado) dating to late July, the longest streak without losing a series in the majors this season and tied for third longest in franchise history (1916).

3. The Phillies were 33-22 and led the NL East by 3 1/2 games on May 29, but are 43-50 since that date.

PREDICTION: Braves 5, Phillies 2