By Matt Rappa, Sports Talk Philly editor 
After splitting the first two games of the series against the division-leading Atlanta Braves (29-18), the Philadelphia Phillies (27-19) will turn to RHP Jake Arrieta in the rubber match — in opposition of rookie southpaw Luiz Gohara — in Wednesday evening's finale at Citizens Bank Park.
Veteran Brandon McCarthy picked up his fifth win of the season — his fourth against the Phillies alone in as many starts — as the Braves took the second game of the series on Tuesday, 3-1. Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies scored all three runs, including a solo home run off Vince Velasquez in the third for the game's first run. Velasquez allowed two runs, one earned, while striking out nine batters through 4 1/3 frames. Cesar Hernandez extended his on-base streak to 26 games with a fifth-inning RBI single, while Carlos Santana committed an error for the fourth straight game.
The Phillies are 17-7 (.708) at home, while the Braves are 18-9 (.667) on the road. Gabe Kapler's squad trails Atlanta by 1 1/2 games for the division lead. After Wednesday, both clubs will not meet again until Sept. 20-23 at SunTrust Park.
Starting Pitching Matchup:
| Atlanta Braves (29-18) | Philadelphia Phillies (27-19) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| LHP | Luiz Gohara | RHP | Jake Arrieta | ||
| (0-0, 1.29 ERA) | (3-2, 2.82 ERA) | ||||
LHP Luiz Gohara, Age: 21
- Career vs. PHI: 0-1, 1.29 ERA, 1 G, 1 GS, 7 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 HR, 2 BB, 9 SO, 1.000 WHIP
- Career at Citizens Bank Park: N/A
Gohara — the No. 45-ranked MLB prospect — will make his first start of the season after posting a 1.29 ERA and 0.571 WHIP through three relief appearances. The Tupa, Brazil, native went 1-3 with a 4.91 ERA, 31-8 strikeout-to-walk ratio and 1.364 WHIP in five starts last season. On Sept. 24, 2017, against the Phillies, Gohara suffered a losing decision despite allowing just one run through seven innings.
RHP Jake Arrieta, Age: 32
- Career vs. ATL: 3-1, 2.76 ERA, 5 G, 5 GS, 32 2/3 IP, 21 H, 10 R, 10 ER, 1 HR, 11 BB, 31 SO, 0.980 WHIP
- Career at Citizens Bank Park: 4-0, 0.89 ERA, 6 G, 6 GS, 40 1/3 IP, 21 H, 7 R, 4 ER, 2 HR, 11 BB, 38 SO, 0.793 WHIP
The Phillies have lost each of the Arrieta's last four starts, resulting in two losing decisions after starting the season 3-0. Arrieta waited through a 95-minute rain delay in his most recent start — May 18 against the St. Louis Cardinals — only to last a season-low three innings on 64 pitches. The right-hander is 2-0 with a 1.07 ERA and 0.829 WHIP in four starts at home this season.
Arrieta last faced the Braves on June 11, 2016, while with the Chicago Cubs. In seven innings, the Farmington, Missouri, native allowed just two runs on four hits and two walks.
Starting Lineups:
| Atlanta Braves (29-18) | Philadelphia Phillies (27-19) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Position | Player | Bats | Position | Player | Bats | ||
| 1 | 2B | Ozzie Albies | S | 1 | 2B | Cesar Hernandez | S |
| 2 | LF | Ronald Acuna Jr. | R | 2 | LF | Rhys Hoskins | R |
| 3 | 1B | Freddie Freeman | L | 3 | CF | Odubel Herrera | L |
| 4 | RF | Nick Markakis | L | 4 | RF | Aaron Altherr | R |
| 5 | C | Kurt Suzuki | R | 5 | 1B | Carlos Santana | S |
| 6 | CF | Ender Inciarte | L | 6 | 3B | Maikel Franco | R |
| 7 | 3B | Johan Camargo | S | 7 | C | Jorge Alfaro | R |
| 8 | SS | Dansby Swanson | R | 8 | SS | Scott Kingery | R |
| 9 | P | Luiz Gohara | L | 9 | P | Jake Arrieta | R |
Broadcast Information:
- First pitch: 7:05 p.m.
- TV: NBCSP
- Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
Game Notes:
- Over his last five games and 19 at-bats, Rhys Hoskins has just one hit (.053) — a solo home run — along with six strikeouts.
- The Phillies have lost each of their last five series against the Braves since August 28 of last season. The club is 4-7 (.364) against the Braves this season, outscored 57-34.
- Third baseman Maikel Franco has previously gone yard against Gohara, while Hernandez is 3-3 against the left-hander. Braves right fielder Nick Markakis has just one career hit in 12 career at-bats opposite Arrieta.
What's Next:
Thursday, May 24, 2018: Off-day
Friday, May 25, 2018: vs. Toronto Blue Jays, 7:05 p.m.
- Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, Pa.
- RHP Sam Gaviglio (1-0, 0.93 ERA) vs. RHP Zach Eflin (1-0, 1.56 ERA)
- TV: NBC 10; Radio: SportsRadio 94 WIP
