Phillies-Braves Game Rained Out, Doubleheader Set for Thursday

PHILADELPHIA, Pennsylvania — The Philadelphia Phillies‘ scheduled game against the Atlanta Braves was postponed Wednesday due to rain. The teams will now play a doubleheader on Thursday at Citizens Bank Park.

Game 1 is set to start at 1:05 p.m., with Game 2 remaining at its original time of 6:45 p.m., the Phillies announced. Right-hander Zack Wheeler will pitch for the Phillies in the nightcap, while left-hander Cristopher Sánchez will start in the early game.

The postponement comes after the Phillies won the series opener Tuesday night, 2-0, thanks to six shutout innings from Ranger Suárez. However, the victory was overshadowed by the injury to star player Bryce Harper, who left the game after being hit on the right elbow by a 95 mph fastball from Braves pitcher Spencer Strider.

Harper underwent X-rays following the incident, which revealed no fractures. Team manager Rob Thomson stated Harper was in significant pain and would be reevaluated before Thursday’s games. The extra time off may benefit Harper’s recovery.

“Whenever one of your top hitters gets hit like that, there’s always some concern,” Thomson said. “But he’s a tough guy.”

Thursday’s matchup features Sánchez (4-1, 3.17 ERA) facing Braves righty A.J. Smith-Shawver (3-2, 3.67 ERA) in the afternoon game. Wheeler (6-1, 2.42 ERA) will take the mound against Chris Sale (2-3, 3.36 ERA), the 2024 NL Cy Young Award winner, in the evening.

With the best record in baseball at 35-19, the Phillies lead the National League East, two games ahead of the New York Mets. After being swept by the Mets in a previous series, the Phillies have won 10 of their last 11 games.

Tickets purchased for Wednesday’s game will be honored for the Thursday afternoon game.