The 2024 MLB season will finally begin at Citizens Bank Park. The Philadelphia Phillies have a great stock of probable starting pitchers ready to take the mound with Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, and Ranger Suarez.
Phillies & Braves Locked in Heated Rivalry
The Atlanta Braves have won the National League East in six consecutive seasons. The Phillies, however, have become their NLDS kryptonite with series victories in back-to-back postseasons.
The rivalry has ignited into one of the best that Major League Baseball has to offer. The Red October crowd has affected the Braves two years in a row. Will the Citizens Bank Park crowd recreate the atmosphere for the first weekend of the 2024 season?
The Phillies and the Braves look like a natural fit for an Opening Day matchup. The new MLB scheduling means they won’t face each other again after the opening series until July 5.
Reds Follow Up Opening Weekend
The Cincinnati Reds will come into Citizens Bank Park for a three-game set after the Braves leave town. They finished 82-80 last season. Young star Elly De La Cruz will come to Philadelphia looking to replicate the rookie magic that made him the talk of the majors last season.
Offseason acquisition Frankie Montas leads the Cincinnati rotation that finished 28th in ERA last season. The NL Central looks wide open for a breakout team. The beauty of April baseball includes hope for every MLB team to become this season’s surprise.
97.5 The Fanatic- Phillies Stories
Catch up on the best Phillies stories of the past week from 97.5 The Fanatic. Our content included the full season preview and exciting things going on at Citizens Bank Park.
- Philadelphia Phillies 26-Man Roster For Opening Day
- 12 Food & Drink Options Debuting at Citizens Bank Park
- 9 Things You Need To Know Before Going To A Philadelphia Phillies Game
- Philadelphia Phillies 2024 Season Preview & Full Roster Breakdown
- Ranger Suarez Looks Poised For a Great Season in 2024
Game 1 (Friday 3/29): Zack Wheeler vs. Spencer Strider
The respective aces of the NL East two favorites will square off on Opening Day at Citizens Bank Park. Zack Wheeler enters the season after a recent contract extension primed for Cy Young candidacy.
Spencer Strider hasn’t had his best outings against the Phillies during the last two postseasons, but he enters the season at age 25 on the cusp of his prime major league years. The ballpark will explode for this NLDS rematch.
Game 2 (Saturday 3/30): Aaron Nola vs. Max Fried
Aaron Nola re-signed in Philadelphia through 2030 on a lucrative offseason contract. He’ll look to bounce back after a down season in 2023. His performance down the stretch improved and helped the Phillies advance within two wins of a trip to the World Series. However, he’ll look to avenge an underwhelming performance in the Game 6 of the NLCS.
Max Fried battled injuries last season, but he caught fire in 14 starts. He finished with a 2.55 ERA after pitching toward the top of Atlanta’s rotation the previous two seasons.
Game 3 (Sunday 3/31): Ranger Suarez vs. Chris Sale
The Braves acquired veteran lefty Chris Sale to solidify their rotation this offseason. He’ll take the hill at age 35 looking to stay healthy in 2024 to utilize the arsenal that’s helped him earn seven career All-Star selections.
While Atlanta’s big name lefty might get more buzz, Ranger Suarez is a sleeper that could help push Philadelphia’s starting staff into the top tier of the league. The Venezuelan benefitted from a full spring training, and he’ll also look to stretch his success over a full season.
Game 1 (Monday 4/1): Cristopher Sanchez vs. Andrew Abbott
The buzz about the Phillies during spring training centered on possible fits with Blake Snell or Jordan Montgomery. Part of the reason Dave Dombrowski elected for in-house options was his confidence in Cristopher Sanchez at the back end of the rotation.
The 27-year-old lefty emerged down the stretch in 2023 as a solid option for the Phillies.
Andrew Abbott had a strong rookie season for Cincinnati. He recorded a 3.87 ERA in 21 starts.
Game 2 (Tuesday 4/2): Spencer Turnbull vs. Graham Ashcraft
Taijuan Walker looked like he’d pitch at the back end of the rotation to begin 2024. He won’t begin the season on time, and the injury opens the door for Spencer Turnbull as the fifth starter.
The rainout on Opening Day eliminates the option for Rob Thomson to skip the fifth spot in the rotation and hand the ball back to Zack Wheeler on regular rest.
Graham Ashcraft made 45 starts with a 4.81 ERA for the Reds in 2022 and 2023.
Game 3 (Wednesday 4/3): Zack Wheeler vs. Frankie Montas
Wheeler will benefit from the adrenaline rush of Opening Day. The Phillies have rebuilt their status as a yearly World Series contender, and the Philadelphia crowd knows it.
However, the six-month grind is a different story. Wheeler is looking for a Cy Young, and he must prove his case throughout the season.
The Reds signed veteran Frankie Montas to a one-year deal in January. He’ll also start Opening Day in Cincinnati.
