The Philadelphia Phillies head to Truist Park on Saturday, September 12 for a 7:15 PM ET showdown against the Atlanta Braves. Tyler Mahle gets the ball for Atlanta, while Philadelphia has yet to name a starter. With September well underway and every game carrying playoff implications, this NL East clash between two familiar rivals is exactly the kind of test that defines a team's final push. Catch the action on NBCSP or locally on 680 AM/93.7 FM The Fan and 94 WIP.

Phillies at Braves: Saturday Night NL East Showdown at Truist Park

The Phillies are rolling out a loaded lineup against Mahle, and on paper, Philadelphia can do damage against just about any arm. Kyle Schwarber leads things off at DH, and if there is one thing Schwarber does in September, it is make pitchers pay for leaving anything over the plate. Trea Turner bats second at shortstop, giving the Phillies speed and contact at the top, followed immediately by Bryce Harper protecting the three-hole in right field. That is a formidable 1-2-3 punch that any starting pitcher has to respect.

Luis Arraez slots in at cleanup in the two-hole — batting fourth, that is — at second base, which tells you everything about how this offense is constructed. Contact, speed, and power woven throughout the order. Alec Bohm hits fifth at first base, Bryson Stott takes third base and the six-hole, Brandon Marsh is in left field at seven, J.T. Realmuto catches and hits eighth, and Justin Crawford rounds out the lineup in center field. It is a balanced, deep order with no easy outs.

Atlanta Braves Probable Starter: Tyler Mahle

The Braves are sending Mahle to the mound, though no current ERA or win-loss record is available for him this season. What Phillies hitters will want to establish early is plate discipline. Make Mahle work, get deep into counts, and put pressure on the Atlanta bullpen. That formula has served Philadelphia well against right-handed starters this season.

Keys to Watch for the Phillies

• Unnamed Phillies starter: Philadelphia has not announced its starter as of this writing, and that is worth monitoring. The identity of the pitcher taking the ball could significantly shape expectations for this game. Keep an eye on official lineup announcements.
• Ronald Acuña Jr.: Batting second for Atlanta, Acuña is always the most dangerous player in any lineup he appears in. How the Phillies — whoever is pitching — handles him early and often will set the tone for the entire night.
• Matt Olson and Austin Riley: Olson hits third, Riley slides to seventh. The Braves' middle of the order still carries legitimate power. Phillies pitching must be sharp in the strike zone, especially against Olson, who punishes pitchers who miss over the plate.
• Ha-Seong Kim at short for Atlanta: Kim bats ninth, but bottom-of-the-order production can be a difference-maker in tight games. The Phillies cannot afford to lose focus as the lineup turns over.
• Schwarber vs. the left-center gap: Truist Park plays differently than Citizens Bank Park, and Schwarber will be looking to use the whole field. If he gets into a groove early, Atlanta's night gets very long very fast.

Prediction

Without knowing who is taking the mound for Philadelphia, it is difficult to commit to a number, but the lineup alone gives the Phillies a legitimate path to a win on Saturday night. Atlanta's lineup is dangerous — Acuña, Olson, and Albies are never an afterthought — but Philadelphia's offense is deep enough to keep pace. Until the Phillies' starter is confirmed, call this one a competitive game that could go either way, with the edge slightly favoring whichever side gets the better pitching performance. Phillies, 5-4.