The Philadelphia Phillies look to close out the series with the Atlanta Braves when the two teams clash in Game 4 of their NLDS on Thursday evening inside what should be a loud and frenzied Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA. The Phillies crushed the Braves, 10-2, to take a two games to one lead in their best-of-five playoff clash. A win on Thursday for the Phillies would end the Braves season and Philadelphia would advance to the NLCS for the second straight season. 

They toss out the first pitch at 6:07 p.m. BetOnline has the Braves favored in this one at -144. 

The Phillies rebounded brilliantly from a devastating Game 2 loss in which they blew a huge lead late, but on Wednesday night their bats came alive and they were backed by a gutsy performance by the enigma in Aaron Nola, who pitched a gem. The knock on Nola during his career was you never knew which Nola you would get -- the one that has amazing stuff -- or the one that can get rocked over two or so innings. He earned the win on Wednesday. 

On Wednesday, they got the great Nola, who tossed 5 2/3 innings of two-run ball, while striking out a game-high nine batters and he only walked one. He allowed six hits while tossing 92 pitchers and settled down after giving up an early one. 

The offense did the rest, as slugging veteran Bryce Harper had a monster game, cracking a pair of home runs while driving in a pair of runs and ending the game 2-for-5 with four RBI in the rout. He has collected five hits in the series so far. They banged out a franchise-high six home runs in one playoff game and they tied a major league record for most home runs in a postseason game. 

The Braves won over 100 games for a reason this past season and they need to lean on their offense once more. Their bats were silent on Wednesday night as they were limited to xx runs on just xx hits. The heart of their order once again went silent like they did in Game 1. They hit 307 home runs during the regular season but their big bats have been relatively quiet. 

They have to get the lead in this game and if need be go to their middle relief early. It is a do-or-die game and they will have to pull out all the stops. If they do not extend this series and get past the Phillies, the season will be a huge disappointment and failure. Many pundits believed the Braves had the talent and offense to win another World Series, but they have seen their bats go ice cold and their pitching get knocked around against the Phillies. 

The Phillies are 2-3 in their last five games and 2-4 in their last six games against the spread. They are also 37-44 in their road games against the number and the totals have gone over in four of their last six games and the totals have gone over in 37 out of their last 82 games at home. The Braves are 3-2 in their last five games and 2-4 in their last six games against the spread. They are also 42-40 in their road games against the spread. The totals have gone over in four of their last six games. 

Backs against the wall, Braves need this one, and the offense finally wakes up but the Phillies have some serious momentum. Philly closes them out, and advances to the next round!