Phillies vs. Braves Thursday MLB injury report, odds: Ronald Acuña Jr. expected out again with rainout possible

This writer placed a late bet fading the Atlanta Braves at home Wednesday night vs. the Philadelphia Phillies because Atlanta superstar and NL MVP candidate Ronald Acuña was a late scratch with right quadriceps tightness. The Braves won anyways. They are expected to be without Acuña Jr. again Thursday as the NL East rivals close their series – if it's played. Atlanta is a short favorite at Caesars Sportsbook. (See tickets at StubHub)

Acuña has been diagnosed with a Grade 1 quad strain and is officially day-to-day, but there's no way the team will risk further injury to its franchise player – especially with rain in the forecast tonight in Atlanta. Acuña is hitting .292 with two homers, eight RBI and eight steals in 65 at-bats since returning from reconstructive right knee surgery April 28. He also recently missed five games with a groin injury. Atlanta is 12-15 without Acuña Jr. this year and 9-8 with him.

It's not uncommon for a manager to not put a star player in the lineup if they think a game might get rained out. There's a nearly 70 percent chance of rain this evening.

Second baseman Ozzie Albies hit in Acuña's usual leadoff spot in Wednesday's 8-4 win and was 1-for-5 with two RBI and a run scored. Dansby Swanson often hits leadoff when Acuña is out, but Swanson hit second Wednesday and that seemed to agree with him. The former first overall pick was 4-for-5 with two runs and two RBI.

Kyle Wright, having a breakout season at 4-2 with a 2.49 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 56 strikeouts in 47 innings, is scheduled to pitch for the Braves. The right-hander has allowed more than three earned runs just once this season. Bryce Harper, who is hitting better than .500 in his past 10 road games overall, is 2-for-4 with a double career off him.

Right-hander Aaron Nola (1-4, 3.96 ERA) is scheduled for Philadelphia. He's 0-3 with a 4.18 ERA on the road this year. Nola has made 25 career starts against the Braves and is 12-8 with a 3.32 ERA. Too bad for Acuña as he hammers Nola, to the tune of 11-for-29 with three doubles, three homers, five RBI and seven walks. Austin Riley (.370, three HR, five RBIs) and Marcell Ozuna (.286, three HR, seven RBIs) also have good splits against the former LSU ace.

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