The Philadelphia Phillies close out their four-game series with the Atlanta Braves at home tonight at Citizens Bank Park, looking to complete the sweep.
After Thursday night’s epic 19–4 win, the next two games were low-scoring battles dominated by pitching.
On Friday, Ranger Suárez held Atlanta to one run over five innings, while the bullpen kept the Braves scoreless the rest of the way.
Cristopher Sánchez followed with a gem on Saturday, giving up just one run across seven innings before the relievers allowed only one unearned run over the final three.
Tonight could bring another pitchers’ duel. The Braves turn to rookie Hurston Waldrep, their 2023 first-round pick, who has been nearly untouchable since his call-up.
Waldrep is 4–0 with a 0.90 ERA in August and has yet to allow a home run. His devastating splitter has held hitters to a .100 average with a 43.9% whiff rate. Still, he’s shown some vulnerability — Miami tagged him for eight hits in 5.1 innings in his last outing, though he allowed just one run. And opponents are hitting .385 against his sinker.
Jesús Luzardo gets the ball for Philadelphia. While he’s had uneven stretches, Luzardo owns a 3.86 ERA in August, even after a rough four-inning, four-run outing against the Mets last week. Against Atlanta this year, he’s been solid, allowing just three runs in 11 innings.
Prediction
The Braves have the edge with Waldrep on the mound. If his splitter stays sharp, expect another strong outing.
Prediction: Braves 3, Phillies 2
Starting Lineups
Atlanta Braves
1. Jurickson Profar – LF
2. Matt Olson – 1B
3. Ronald Acuña Jr. – DH
4. Ozzie Albies – 2B
5. Michael Harris III – CF
6. Eli White – RF
7. Nacho Alvarez – 3B
8. Sean Murphy – C
9. Nick Allen – SS
Starting Pitcher: Hurston Waldrep (RHP) — 4–0, 0.90 ERA
Philadelphia Phillies
1. Trea Turner – SS
2. Kyle Schwarber – DH
3. Bryce Harper – 1B
4. J.T. Realmuto – C
5. Alec Bohm – 3B
6. Brandon Marsh – LF
7. Nick Castellanos – RF
8. Harrison Bader – CF
9. Bryson Stott – 2B
Starting Pitcher: Jesús Luzardo (LHP) — 12–6, 4.23 ERA
How to Watch Braves vs. Phillies
First pitch for tonight’s Braves–Phillies game is set for 7:10 PM Eastern at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA.
The game airs live on ESPN and streams live on the ESPN app and website.
For the cord-cutters out there without an active livestreaming plan, you can watch the game for free by taking advantage of free trials from DIRECTV Stream, Hulu + Live TV, Fubo TV, or YouTube TV.
YouTube TV even offers a 20-minute free preview, without having to register for a trial — if you just want to catch part of the game.
Atlanta Braves vs. Philadelphia Phillies
Date: Sunday, August 31, 2025
First Pitch: 7:10 PM Eastern
Venue: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA
TV: ESPN
Streaming: MLB.TV (Out-of-Market)