Bryce Harper to Miss Game 1 of Phillies-Braves Doubleheader

The Philadelphia Phillies will be without the services of Bryce Harper for Game 1 of Thursday's doubleheader against the Atlanta Braves.

Bryce Harper Out for Game 1 After Elbow Contusion

Harper left Tuesday's game after he was hit by a Spencer Strider pitch on his elbow.  While X-rays were negative, he is not in the lineup for Game 1 due to what the team called an a right elbow contusion.

Phillies Lineup Adjustments Without Harper

Without Harper, the team has Kyle Schwarber hitting No. 3 and Alec Bohm in the cleanup spot.

Bohm had been moved up to the five-spot in the order on Tuesday night, but with Harper out, he moves one spot up to four after a recent hot streak where he is hitting .341 with four homers and 12 RBI in 23 games in May.

Cristopher Sánchez Takes the Ball in Game 1

Cristopher Sánchez will start Game 1 after allowing three runs, two earned, with six strikeouts in a no-decision versus the Athletics on Saturday. He brings a very solid 3.17 ERA to the mound on Thursday against the Braves.

It will be his first start against the Braves this season.

Previewing Braves Starter A.J. Smith-Shawver

The Phillies will face Braves right-hander A.J. Smith-Shawver, who is sporting a 3.67 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, and 41 strikeouts in 41.2 innings pitched in eight starts this season.

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With the Braves throwing a right-hander, the team has Max Kepler in left field, Brandon Marsh in center field, and Rafael Marchán doing the catching.

He last faced the Phillies in the 2023 National League Division Series, where he took the loss, giving up three runs on three hits in a relief role. In that game, all three hits he gave up were home runs, two to Nick Castellanos and one to Trea Turner.

Game 2 Preview: Wheeler vs. Sale Rematch

In Game 2 tonight, the Phillies will send Zack Wheeler to the mound, and he will be opposed by Chris Sale.  Those two faced off on April 8th, with Sale lasting 4.2 innings, giving up nine hits and five runs, getting a no-decision.