The Atlanta Braves are set to face the Philadelphia Phillies in a crucial three-game series, currently trailing by seven games in the NL East. The Braves will be without key player Austin Riley, who has been diagnosed with a fractured hand and is expected to miss 6-8 weeks, adding to their injury woes which include Ronald Acuna Jr. and Ozzie Albies. Atlanta aims to gain ground in the division, needing to win at least five of the next seven games against the Phillies to have a realistic chance of contention. The Braves are bringing Reynaldo López back from injury to start the series, while the Phillies counter with Zack Wheeler, who has historically performed well against them. With the playoff race tightening and pressure mounting, manager Brian Snitker emphasizes that every game is critical for their postseason hopes. The series represents a pivotal moment for both teams as they navigate injuries and strive for playoff positioning.