Game Thread 9/23: Phillies at Braves

It’s a Sunday afternoon. The champagne has been cleaned out of the carpet in the home clubhouse at SunTrust Bank Park. Many Braves regulars will probably be sitting today due to “flu-like symptoms” a.k.a. they’re hungover. Aaron Nola will be pitching against the Braves, hoping to carve them up enough that he might convince some Cy Young voters he deserves a first place vote or two, more likely trying to come in second place. No doubt several Phillies will head into the matchup and produce their best offensive game of the season.

And it will all feel so empty.

Even if you concede that this year should have been a rebuilding year and that the team wasn’t supposed to be this close to a playoff spot, it still feels so empty playing today. Yes they have their ace on the mound, but how much should he even pitch? Is it worth risking his arm for games that truly mean nothing?

Well, if you’ve come this far, you’re a true fan. You’ve decided to #BeBold. Let’s do this.

Here are today’s lineups:

Let’s just get this done and over with.