Phillies Vs. Braves: 5 Things To Know Ahead Of Opening Day 2019

PHILADELPHIA, PA — The most anticipated Phillies Opening Day since the heyday of 2011 kicks off on Thursday as they host the defending division champion Atlanta Braves.

First pitch at Citizens Bank Park is set for 3:05 p.m.

Here are five things to know heading into the game:

The Phillies-Braves rivalry could soon become one of the best in baseball

It's the second year in a row the Phillies will play the Braves on Opening Day, though last year was in Atlanta. It's also the second year in a row for this pitching matchup: Phillies ace Aaron Nola against Braves starter Julio Teheran.

The Phillies and Braves are two of the youngest teams in baseball, and they very quickly could become and two of the best.

The teams have followed similar trajectories over the past few years, each coming out of a rebuild phase ahead of schedule in 2018, and, to the surprise of just about everyone, battling each other for the National League East title for most of last season.

The Braves ultimately won out, convincingly, before losing in the first round of the playoffs.

2019 will be different. The Braves are one of four teams in the NL East that has the makings to win the division, the National League, and perhaps even the World Series. The Mets and especially the Phillies made huge offseason additions to improve already solid rosters, while the perennially competitive Nationals kept pace with a few key signings, despite losing Bryce Harper.

Any of the four could win the NL East, but it's hard to argue any division rivalry is better positioned for the long term than that of the Phillies and the Braves, the two youngest teams with two of the game's most exciting players. ESPN seems to think so, as they've scheduled the Phillies and Braves for the first Sunday night nationally televised game on March 30.

Braves Ronald Acuna Jr. is formidable

If Philadelphia fans aren't yet acquainted with Acuna, they soon will be.

The reigning National League Rookie of the Year debuted last year as perhaps the most hotly anticipated prospect since Mike Trout, and he did not dissapoint. In fact, if there is an heir apparent to Trout's throne of all-around greatest player in the world (and among the greatest ever), it's Acuna.

The 20-year-old is special not just for his elite talent at such a young age, but because there is nothing he doesn't do well: run, throw, defend, hit for power, and hit for contact. He is a true five-tool player.

Don't be surprised if Acuna, slated to bat cleanup instead of leadoff on Thursday, knocks a first inning home run to immediately hush the raucous crowd. Early game home runs were his calling card last year.

The Braves might score early, but expect Aaron Nola to dominate

If teams manage to score against Aaron Nola, it usually happens early. Nola actually gets deadlier as he progresses through games, holding opponents to a lower batting average his second and third time through the lineups rather than his first (which defies conventional wisdom and is the opposite of most pitchers).

The Braves have a good lineup, but it's the heart of the order that's most brutal: perennial MVP candidate Freddie Freeman, former MVP Josh Donaldson, and Acuna are three of the first four hitters Nola will face. It's possible they score early.

But Nola's pedigree is such that dominance has become the norm. After a third place finish in the NL Cy Young voting last year, the Phillies 2014 first round draft pick has cemented himself as one of the best pitchers in the game. If the Braves get a run or two across in the first, it's likely that's all they'll get with Nola on the mound.

All eyes will be on Bryce Harper

Ticket sales shot through the roof and jersey sales broke North American sports records when the Phillies signed their $330 million man in late February. It stands as the largest free agent contract in sports history.

Expectations for the superstar right fielder are astronomical. Whatever he does — good or bad — will be blown out of proportion. When he strikes out (which he will) there will be boos. When he homers (which he will), the Earth will shake.

Projected starting lineups

Atlanta

LF Ender Inciarte
3B Josh Donaldson
1B Freddie Freeman
CF Ronald Acuna Jr
RF Nick Markakis
2B Ozzie Albies
C Brian McCann
SS Dansby Swanson
SP Julio Teheran

Philadelphia

LF Andrew McCutchen
SS Jean Segura
RF Bryce Harper
1B Rhys Hoskins
C JT Realmuto
CF Odubel Herrera
3B Maikel Franco
2B Cesar Hernandez
SP Aaron Nola