Sunday 3-31-19 Free Plays / Trends / Betting Info / Etc

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New York Mets vs. Washington Nationals Preview and Predictions 03-31-2019 in MLB

The New York Mets aim to open 3-0 for the first time in six years when they wrap up a three-game series at the Washington Nationals on Sunday. After opening the season with a tidy 2-0 win Thursday afternoon, the Mets won an 11-8 slugfest over the Nationals on Saturday behind four hits and two RBIs by left fielder Jeff McNeil.

Catcher Wilson Ramos chipped in two hits, two RBIs and three runs scored while Pete Alonso doubled twice and singled once for New York, which scored seven runs over the final two innings before surviving a Washington rally in the ninth. Juan Soto went 3-for-5 with two RBIs and Ryan Zimmerman drove in three runs in the ninth with a double to pace the Nationals' attack. Washington will try to break into the win column Sunday behind newcomer Patrick Corbin, who signed a $140 million deal this offseason. Righty Zack Wheeler gets the nod for New York.

TV: 1:35 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), MASN (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Zack Wheeler (2018: 12-7, 3.31 ERA) vs. Nationals LH Patrick Corbin (11-7, 3.15)

Hampered by injuries for much of his career, Wheeler put in his best campaign in 2018 while making 29 starts and ranking second on the team in victories. The former first-round pick was 10-1 with a 2.21 ERA over the final three months of the season and he defeated Washington twice in three matchups. Wheeler, who posted a 4.80 ERA in five spring training starts, will be wary of first baseman Zimmerman, who is 8-for-23 with two homers against him.

Corbin earned his big deal after a spectacular 2018 in which he struck out 246 batters in 200 innings while holding opponents to a .218 average. However, he was 0-1 with a 5.56 ERA in two matchups with the Mets last year and is just 1-4 lifetime. The 29-year-old, who gave up 15 runs in 24 innings this spring, has a 4.80 ERA in three career starts at Nationals Park.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mets closer RHP Edwin Diaz has notched a save in both victories, using one pitch to retire his only batter in Saturday's win.

2. Nationals RHP Trevor Rosenthal, pitching for the first time since 2017 due to Tommy John surgery, gave up four runs without retiring a batter Saturday.

3. New York CF Brandon Nimmo is 0-for-7 with six strikeouts through the first two games.

PREDICTION: Nationals 5, Mets 4

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St. Louis Cardinals vs. Milwaukee Brewers Preview and Predictions 03-31-2019 in MLB

One season after becoming only the second player in club history to be named the National League MVP, Christian Yelich is making an early charge to enter his name into the record books in a few more places. The 27-year-old slugger will attempt to become only the sixth player in major-league history to homer in each of his team's first four games on Sunday, when the Milwaukee Brewers try to secure a series win as they host the St. Louis Cardinals for the finale of their four-game set.

Yelich became the first player in franchise history to go deep in each of his team's first three contests of a season early in Saturday's 4-2 win, belting a first-inning solo shot that made him the first reigning MVP to accomplish the feat. The 23rd overall pick of the 2010 draft isn't the only Brewer that has started out hot, however, as Mike Moustakas has hit two of the team's other five home runs on the season after launching a two-run blast on Saturday. Paul Goldschmidt fell back to Earth one day after registering his second career three-homer performance, although his RBI single enabled him to continue his incredible career success in Milwaukee. Kolten Wong finished 3-for-3 with a run-scoring double on Saturday and is 6-for-10 with a pair of homers and four RBIs in the series.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, FS Midwest (St. Louis), FS Wisconsin, WYTU (Milwaukee)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Cardinals RH Michael Wacha (2018: 8-2, 3.20 ERA) vs. Brewers RH Corbin Burnes (2018: 7-0, 2.61)

Wacha saw his 2018 season come to a premature end on June 20 due to an oblique injury, less than two weeks after he completed a 12-start stretch during which he went 8-0 with a 2.12 ERA. The native of Iowa displayed a similar form during spring training, finishing 1-1 with a 1.93 ERA in four outings. Yasmani Grandal (4-for-11, home run) and Ryan Braun (4-for-11) are among the Brewers who have had the most success against Wacha, who is 5-0 with a 4.19 ERA in 11 career appearances (10 starts) against Milwaukee.

Burnes is set to make his first major-league start after living up to the expectations bestowed upon the club's top pitching prospect prior to his arrival, as he made 30 appearances of the bullpen last year following his promotion on July 8. The 24-year-old struggled a bit in August (2-0, 4.70 ERA) after not allowing a run in six appearances a month earlier, but he rebounded with a strong September (4-0, 1.93). Paul DeJong has recorded an RBI double in two at-bats versus Burnes, who permitted one run over three innings against St. Louis in 2018.

WALK-OFFS

1. With another homer on Sunday, Yelich will join Trevor Story (2016), Chris Davis (2013), Nelson Cruz (2011), Mark McGwire (1998) and Willie Mays (1971) as the only players ever to go deep in each of their team's first four games of a season.

2. Despite going 1-for-4 on Saturday, Goldschmidt is batting .420 with 11 home runs and 27 RBIs in 26 career contests at Miller Park.

3. Grandal is hitless in his first 10 at-bats with the Brewers, although his sacrifice fly in Friday's loss is the only one of the team's 14 runs this season that hasn't been scored via a home run.

PREDICTION: Cardinals 4, Brewers 3

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Cleveland Indians vs. Minnesota Twins Preview and Predictions 03-31-2019 in MLB

Dominant starting pitching has emerged as an early theme for the Minnesota Twins and Cleveland Indians, who have split a pair of low-scoring meetings to begin the season. A day after dealing with near-freezing temperatures for three hours, the American League Central rivals will battle one more time when the Twins host the Indians on Sunday for the finale of their three-game series.

Cleveland's Corey Kluber and Minnesota's Jose Berrios permitted a total of two runs and six hits across 14 2/3 innings in the Twins' series-opening 2-0 win before Trevor Bauer and Jake Odorizzi combined to allow two runs and two hits while registering 20 strikeouts in the Indians' 2-1 victory on Saturday. Cleveland's first win didn't come easily, however, as closer Brad Hand escaped a bases-loaded jam in the bottom of the ninth inning after Greg Allen gave the club its first lead of the season in the top half with a sacrifice fly. Hanley Ramirez was about the only player on either side to fare well Saturday, reaching base in all four plate appearances with a solo homer, a single and two walks. Byron Buxton recorded a double in each game and is the only Twin with multiple hits in this series.

TV: 2:10 p.m. ET, SportsTime Ohio (Cleveland), FS North (Minnesota)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Indians RH Carlos Carrasco (2018: 17-10, 3.38 ERA) vs. Twins RH Michael Pineda (2017: 8-4, 4.39)

Carrasco notched at least 14 victories and 200 strikeouts for the third time in four seasons in 2018, finishing one win short of a personal best while fanning a career-high 231 batters over 192 innings. The 32-year-old Venezuelan enjoyed similar success during spring training, going 3-1 with a 3.79 ERA while registering 22 strikeouts over 19 frames. Nelson Cruz (7-for-22, two homers) and Jorge Polanco (6-for-15) both have fared well versus Carrasco, who went 2-3 with a 3.51 ERA in six starts against the Twins last season.

Pineda is set to return to the mound in a regular-season game for the first time since undergoing Tommy John surgery in July 2017 and meniscus surgery on his right knee just over a year later. The 30-year-old Dominican proved his readiness with a strong showing during spring training, posting a 1-0 record and 3.54 ERA while holding opposing batters to a .184 average in 20 1/3 frames. Ramirez (5-for-17) is the only Indian with significant experience versus Pineda, who won his only career start against Cleveland in 2016.

WALK-OFFS

1. Minnesota on Saturday became only the second team since 1893 to open the season with its first two starters each recording at least 10 strikeouts (Arizona in 2001 ).

2. Ramirez's home run was his first since May 12 while with Boston.

3. Saturday's game-time temperature of 34 degrees was tied for the third-coldest in the nine-plus years Target Field has served as the Twins' home.

PREDICTION: Indiana 3, Twins 2

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Chicago White Sox vs. Kansas City Royals Preview and Predictions 03-31-2019 in MLB

Jorge Soler has failed to live up to the hype in recent years, but he appears to be locked in to begin 2019. Soler and his Kansas City Royals will try to polish off a season-opening three-game sweep when they host the Chicago White Sox on Sunday afternoon.

After producing two run-scoring hits in a 5-3 win on Opening Day, the 27-year-old Soler went 3-for-3 with three RBIs in Saturday's 8-6 triumph. "He's really off to a great start, three more hits today. Just off to a great start," manager Ned Yost told reporters of Soler. Jose Abreu slugged a three-run shot in the loss for the White Sox, who will be trying to avoid their first 0-3 start since 2015, when they also opened up losing three straight at Kansas City. Chicago right-hander Lucas Giolito gave up 20 runs in 18 1/3 innings during spring training but will try for better results when he makes his first start of the season Sunday opposite Jorge Lopez for the Royals.

TV: 2:15 p.m. ET, WGN-TV (Chicago), FS Kansas City

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox RH Lucas Giolito (2018: 10-13, 6.13 ERA) vs. Royals RH Jorge Lopez (2018: 2-5, 5.03)

Giolito's first full season was a difficult one, as he allowed the most earned runs in the majors (118) while leading the American League in walks (90). The former first-round pick did enjoy his matchups with the Royals, going 2-0 with a 2.88 ERA in four meetings last season. Soler has a home run and a walk in three career plate appearances versus Giolito.

Lopez made seven starts with the Royals after being traded from Milwaukee last season, including one outing at Minnesota in which he took a perfect game into the ninth inning. He had just one other quality start and gave up seven runs in just one frame in his finale at Detroit on Sept. 20. The 26-year-old from Puerto Rico, who had a 4.41 ERA in five spring training starts, will be facing the White Sox for the first time.

WALK-OFFS

1. White Sox 3B Yoan Moncada also homered Saturday and is 4-for-8 with a walk and three runs scored on the season.

2. Royals LF Alex Gordon is hitless in four at-bats on the season but has one RBI and five runs scored.

3. Kansas City RHP Ian Kennedy notched his first career save Saturday with a scoreless ninth.

PREDICTION: Royals 5, White Sox 4

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Chicago Cubs vs. Texas Rangers Preview and Predictions 03-31-2019 in MLB

Offense has taken center stage in the first two games of the only interleague series of baseball's opening weekend, and the host Texas Rangers and Chicago Cubs will try to keep the hits coming in the rubber match of a three-game series Sunday. The Cubs smacked three home runs in a 12-4 win in the opener, but the Rangers rallied from an early 3-0 deficit for an 8-6 victory Saturday.



Joey Gallo's go-ahead three-run blast in the eighth inning capped Texas' comeback, which evened the series. Gallo's shot came off C.J. Edwards, who did not record an out in the eighth inning, highlighting concerns about the back end of Chicago's bullpen. The Cubs also had to use starter Jose Quintana in long relief after Yu Darvish gave up three runs and walked seven in 2 2/3 innings. The Rangers' bullpen struggled in the opener, but four relievers combined to allow two runs over five innings Saturday, including four straight scoreless frames to close out the game.

TV: 4:05 p.m. ET, ESPN, NBCS Chicago, FS Southwest (Texas)



PITCHING MATCHUP: Cubs LH Cole Hamels (2018: 9-12, 3.78 ERA) vs. Rangers RH Lance Lynn (2018: 10-10, 4.77)

Hamels enjoyed a career revival after going from the Rangers to the Cubs last season, going 4-3 with a 2.36 ERA in 12 starts for Chicago after the trade. The 35-year-old struggled at home before the trade, posting a 1-7 record and a 6.41 ERA in 10 starts at Globe Life Park. Hamels will face a former team for the first time in his career when he takes on the Rangers for the first time since 2008.

Lynn had success against Chicago early in his career, but he is 0-4 with a 6.40 ERA in his last 10 starts against them. The 31-year-old is 6-7 with a 4.62 ERA in 20 games (19 starts) against the Cubs, but he hasn't beaten Chicago since 2013. Lynn is making his debut in his new home park.

WALK-OFFS

1. A total of 29 walks have been issued in the series with the Cubs drawing 15 and the Rangers earning 14 free passes.

2. Rangers starting pitchers have allowed 10 runs in 8 2/3 innings in the first two games.

3. Cubs 1B Anthony Rizzo is 12-for-34 with five doubles, two homers, nine walks and nine RBIs versus Lynn.

PREDICTION: Cubs 7, Rangers 5

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Los Angeles Angels vs. Oakland Athletics Preview and Predictions 03-31-2019 in MLB

The Oakland Athletics nearly experienced a second straight bullpen implosion last time out but managed to maintain control and post a victory. Oakland looks to win its first series of 2019 when it hosts the Los Angeles Angels on Sunday in the finale of their four-game set.

After blanking the Angels in the series opener, the Athletics were on their way to another shutout victory on Friday before their relief corps surrendered six runs over the final two innings. Oakland almost had a repeat occurrence on Saturday as reliever J.B. Wendelken yielded two runs in the eighth inning to halve the team's 4-0 lead, but Blake Treinen recorded the final five outs to nail down the victory. Los Angeles kept Oakland slugger Khris Davis in the ballpark but was unable to contain Mark Canha, who went deep an inning after Stephen Piscotty delivered a two-run single in the third. Superstar Mike Trout and Andrelton Simmons each drove in a run for the Angels, who have yet to score a run over the first seven innings of contests.

TV: 4:07 p.m. ET, FS West (Los Angeles), NBCS California (Oakland)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Angels LH Tyler Skaggs (2018: 8-10, 4.02 ERA) vs. Athletics RH Frankie Montas (2018: 5-4, 3.88)

Skaggs makes his season debut after battling forearm fatigue during spring training, where he surrendered nine runs - eight earned - and 11 hits over 9 2/3 innings in three starts. The 27-year-old Californian recorded career highs in wins, starts (24), innings (125 1/3) and strikeouts (129) last year while posting his lowest ERA in six major-league seasons. Skaggs has not fared well against Oakland in his career, going 2-6 with a 5.19 ERA in 10 starts.

Montas had a strong spring as he allowed just two runs - one earned - and 11 hits over 16 innings in two starts and three relief appearances. The 26-year-old Dominican had 11 turns in the rotation last year after strictly working out of the bullpen the previous season, although his two outings in September were in relief. Montas has faced the Angels out of the bullpen three times in his career, yielding one run and eight hits with three strikeouts and one walk over 5 1/3 frames.

WALK-OFFS

1. Athletics 3B Matt Chapman has gone 4-for-10 with a double and an RBI in the first three games of the series.

2. Los Angeles DH Albert Pujols began the season 0-for-8 before recording a pair of singles late in Saturday's contest.

3. Oakland SS Marcus Semien has hit safely in every game thus far this season, going 7-for-18.

PREDICTION: Angels 8, Athletics 3

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San Francisco Giants vs. San Diego Padres Preview and Predictions 03-31-2019 in MLB

Close games figure to become commonplace for the San Francisco Giants, who possess a deep pitching staff but lack any true power hitters. A day after leaning on their bullpen for their first victory of the season, the Giants aim for a split of their four-game series against the host San Diego Padres on Sunday.

San Francisco opened the season by losing back-to-back games by a combined score of 6-1 but secured a 3-2 victory on Saturday behind its bullpen, which held the Padres scoreless over the final four innings. Will Smith recorded the save but was overshadowed by the performance of 26-year-old Reyes Moronta, who replaced starter Dereck Rodriguez in the sixth and struck out five of the six batters he faced over the next two frames. Eric Hosmer went 3-for-4 with two RBIs for San Diego, which was seeking its first 3-0 start since 1984. Catcher Francisco Mejia, who was acquired from Cleveland in July, made his first start of the season and went 0-for-4 while batting eighth.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, NBCS Bay Area (San Francisco), FS San Diego

PITCHING MATCHUP: Giants RH Jeff Samardzija (2018: 1-5, 6.25 ERA) vs. Padres RH Chris Paddack (ML debut)

After sitting out most of last season due to a shoulder injury, Samardzija recorded a 3.97 ERA over 22 2/3 innings during spring training. "We're really excited by where he's at and how he's thrown the ball," Giants manager Bruce Bochy told reporters. "He's got a good four-pitch mix going and command. He's throwing the ball with a lot of confidence, too." The 34-year-old native of Indiana is 8-3 with a 3.64 ERA in 17 career games (15 starts) against San Diego.

Few pitchers were more impressive during spring training than Paddack, who earned a spot in the rotation after giving up three earned runs over 15 1/3 innings in five starts. The 23-year-old Texan dominated at the Single-A and Double-A levels last season, posting a 2.10 ERA with 120 strikeouts against eight walks in 90 innings. An eighth-round pick of Miami in the 2015 draft, Paddack possesses a repertoire includes a curveball, changeup and mid-90s fastball.

WALK-OFFS

1. San Francisco 3B Evan Longoria exited Saturday's game with a calf injury but is expected to be available for the series finale.

2. San Diego RHP Kirby Yates has a 0.56 ERA in 15 career appearances against the Giants.

3. Giants rookie OF Connor Joe is hitless with four strikeouts in his first seven at-bats.

PREDICTION: Padres 5, Giants 2

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Arizona Diamondbacks vs. Los Angeles Dodgers Preview and Predictions 03-31-2019 in MLB

Some teams struggle to find their rhythm at the plate coming out of spring training, but the Los Angeles Dodgers clearly are not one of them. The Dodgers are averaging 11.3 runs heading into Sunday's series finale against the visiting Arizona Diamondbacks, who dropped two of the first three contests.

Cody Bellinger hit two homers and drove in six runs while Justin Turner recorded five RBIs in Saturday's 18-5 victory as the Dodgers bounced back from Friday's 13-inning, 5-4 loss. Los Angeles, which opened the season Thursday by hitting eight home runs in a 12-5 triumph, also received another solid performance from leadoff hitter Joc Pederson, who went 3-for-3 with a blast and four runs scored. Arizona is hoping for a strong outing from Luke Weaver on Sunday after its first three starting pitchers combined to allow 18 runs - 17 earned - and 18 hits over 14 innings. One bright spot has been the play of outfielder Adam Jones, who was signed as a free agent three weeks ago and has registered five hits in his first 14 at-bats.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, FS Arizona, SportsNet LA (Los Angeles)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Diamondbacks RH Luke Weaver (2018: 7-11, 4.95 ERA) vs. Dodgers RH Walker Buehler (2018: 8-5, 2.62)

Acquired from St. Louis as part of the Paul Goldschmidt trade, Weaver is looking for a bounce-back season after issuing 54 walks in 136 1/3 innings last season. The 25-year-old Floridian was sharp during spring training, posting a 1.04 ERA with a 15-to-2 strikeout-to-walk ratio in four starts covering 17 1/3 frames. A first-round pick of the Cardinals in the 2014 draft, Weaver is hoping to recapture his form from 2017, when he went 7-2 with a 3.88 ERA in 13 games (10 starts) with the Cardinals.

Buehler finished third in the NL Rookie of the Year voting last season after recording a stellar 151-to-37 strikeout-to-walk ratio over 137 1/3 innings. The 24-year-old native of Kentucky threw a four-inning simulated game on Monday but made just one official spring-training start as the Dodgers attempted to lighten his workload. Buehler faced the Diamondbacks twice last season, posting a 2.19 ERA with 14 strikeouts across 12 1/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Diamondbacks OF Steven Souza Jr. will have season-ending knee surgery on Tuesday.

2. Dodgers LHP Clayton Kershaw (shoulder) threw 50 pitches over three innings in a simulated game on Saturday and could begin a minor-league rehab assignment next week.

3. Arizona OF Jerrod Dyson went 2-for-4 with a homer in Saturday's loss.

PREDICTION: Dodgers 7, Diamondbacks 3

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Boston Red Sox vs. Seattle Mariners Preview and Predictions 03-31-2019 in MLB

The reigning World Series champion Boston Red Sox look to get a better pitching performance from their starter and salvage a split of the season-opening four-game series against the host Seattle Mariners when they meet for the finale Sunday. Right-hander Rick Porcello gets the call after the first three starters allowed 22 hits and 18 earned runs over 12 1/3 innings as the Red Sox lost two out of three contests.

Mitch Moreland's three-run pinch-hit homer in the ninth inning Friday rescued Boston from dropping its first three games of the season, while outfielder/designated hitter J.D. Martinez is off to a good start with five hits and a team high-tying three RBIs in the first three outings. The Mariners have rolled to four wins in their first five games and totaled 38 runs in the process after veteran Jay Bruce responded to a 1-for-15 start to the season with a three-run blast in Saturday's 6-5 victory. "The other guys have kind of carried me along the first couple games, so I was kind of glad to join the party and help the club a little bit," Bruce told ROOT Sports Northwest after the win. "It's been impressive. We've got a group of guys who come to work every single day and are ready to get it done." Domingo Santana has led the way with three homers and 10 RBIs for Seattle, while fellow newcomer Tim Beckham is 9-for-19 with three home runs, six RBIs and seven runs scored in the first five games.

TV: 4:10 p.m. ET, NESN (Boston), ROOT Northwest (Seattle)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox RH Rick Porcello (2018: 17-7, 4.28 ERA) vs. Mariners LH Wade LeBlanc (2018: 9-5, 3.72)

Porcello rebounded from a rough 2017 campaign when he finished 11-17 by posting the second-most wins in his career while striking out a career-best 190 batters in 2018. The 30-year-old New Jersey native was 10-3 with a 3.86 ERA on the road last year and gave up six runs over 15 1/3 innings during the playoffs. Edwin Encarnacion is 13-for-43 with five doubles, three homers and 10 RBIs versus Porcello, who is 6-5 with a 3.80 ERA in 13 career meetings with the Mariners.

LeBlanc set career highs in victories, starts (27), strikeouts (130) and innings (162) last season as he became a mainstay in the rotation. The 34-year-old Louisiana native was 7-3 with a 3.95 ERA at home in 2018 and kept opponents to a .246 batting average overall but served up 24 homers. Martinez is 4-for-9 with two doubles and a homer against LeBlanc, who is 1-0 with a 5.06 ERA in four career games - two last season, including the win - versus the Red Sox.

WALK-OFFS

1. Seattle closer Hunter Strickland was placed on the 10-day injured list Saturday with a right lat strain, while fellow RHP David McKay was recalled.

2. Boston RF Mookie Betts, the 2018 American League MVP, was 4-of-10 the first two games of the season before going hitless in five at-bats Saturday.

3. Mariners C Tom Murphy went 1-for-2 with a pair of walks in his debut with the club Saturday after playing 81 games with Colorado the last four seasons.

PREDICTION: Red Sox 6, Mariners 4

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Atlanta Braves vs. Philadelphia Phillies Preview and Predictions 03-31-2019 in MLB

The opening weekend of the season has unfolded exactly how the Philadelphia Phillies hoped as they aim for a three-game sweep of the Atlanta Braves on Sunday night. The Phillies have scored 18 runs en route to back-to-back victories over the defending National League East champions, getting homers from Maikel Franco in both games and Bryce Harper's first hit in a Philadelphia uniform: a 465-foot second-deck solo homer in the seventh inning of Saturday's 8-6 victory.

The three big offensive acquisitions Philadelphia made during an aggressive offseason - Harper, J.T. Realmuto and Andrew McCutchen - have homered in the series, while Franco has driven in three runs in each game. Atlanta's pitching staff entered the season missing several injured contributors in both the rotation and bullpen, and it has not been a stellar beginning as Braves pitchers have surrendered six homers while issuing 11 walks. Atlanta relievers have given up 11 runs in just 7 2/3 innings through two games. First baseman Freddie Freeman is 5-for-8 with two RBIs after a four-hit day Saturday, but newly acquired third baseman Josh Donaldson is hitless in seven at-bats.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, ESPN

PITCHING MATCHUP: Braves RH Kyle Wright (2018: 0-0, 4.50 ERA) vs. Phillies RH Jake Arrieta (2018: 10-11, 3.96)

Atlanta's first-round (fifth overall) pick of the 2017 draft, Wright gets his first major-league start after making four relief appearances late last season. The 23-year-old allowed three runs on four hits in six innings out of the bullpen in 2018, walking six and striking out five, and earned Sunday's start with a strong spring that unraveled in his final two appearances. Wright finished 8-9 with a 3.46 ERA in 27 games between Double-A Mississippi and Triple-A Gwinnett last season.

Arrieta's first season in Philadelphia was marked by stark ups and downs, such as a 0.90 ERA in May, a 6.66 ERA in June, a 2.80 ERA in July and a 6.39 ERA in September. The 33-year-old went 1-5 with a 6.35 ERA and 10 homers allowed in 45 1/3 innings across his final nine starts. Arrieta, who posted a 5.79 ERA and 1.36 WHIP across four spring-training starts, went 1-1 with a 4.15 ERA in two starts last season against Atlanta.

WALK-OFFS

1. Braves C Tyler Flowers went 2-for-3 with a run scored in his season debut Saturday.

2. Saturday's win clinched Philadelphia's first season-opening series victory since 2011.

3. Wright's start Sunday, following Bryse Wilson's start Saturday, marks the first time that Braves rookies have started two of the first three games of a season since 1905.

PREDICTION: Phillies 6, Braves 4