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May 20, 2016 - 3:49 AM The Philadelphia Phillies were supposed to be struggling during a rebuilding season. Instead, they're surprising everyone with a hot start they hope will continue.

Solid starting pitching, including that from Aaron Nola, has helped make up for a struggling offense, and Nola will take the mound Friday night as the Phillies open their series with the visiting Atlanta Braves.

Philadelphia (24-17) lost 99 games in 2015 and overhauled a good part of its roster before dropping its first four this year. It has been outscored by 28 runs, but the rotation has a 3.72 ERA to rank among the NL leaders as the Phillies try to prove the impressive start isn't a fluke.

Tyler Goeddel hit his first major league homer and Jeremy Hellickson tossed six innings in Wednesday's 4-2 victory over Miami as Philadelphia took two of three in the series.

''I'm very impressed,'' manager Pete Mackanin said. ''These guys have great makeup. They pull for one another. It's a real team.

''We've held our own and there's no reason to believe we can't (compete for the postseason).''

Nola (3-2, 2.89 ERA) has been a big reason for that success. The Phillies have won Nola's last five starts as he's gone 3-0 with a 1.32 ERA. He's pitched seven innings in four of them, including Saturday when he gave up one earned run in a 4-3 win over Cincinnati.

Nola has struck out 35 and walked six in 34 innings during that span.

''He has a great way about him,'' Mackanin said of Nola, who tied a career high with nine strikeouts against the Reds. ''He knows how to make adjustments. He's a lot of fun to watch.''

Atlanta hasn't been the least bit entertained when facing Nola. The right-hander made three of his 13 starts as a rookie last season against the Braves, going 2-0 with a 1.42 ERA while tossing seven innings twice.

Matt Wisler has been one of the few bright spots for Atlanta (10-30), which has dropped 11 of its last 14 and fired manager Fredi Gonzalez after Monday's loss to Pittsburgh.

Wisler (1-3, 3.14) has gone into the eighth in each of his last three starts, going 1-1 with a 1.93 ERA. He gave up two runs and struck out seven but didn't get any run support in Atlanta's 4-2, 13-inning loss at Kansas City on Sunday.

''I feel like I'm attacking hitters, staying aggressive,'' Wisler said. ''That's the main thing - attack hitters, make them put the ball in play. We have a good defense behind me so attack them, put it in play and see if the defense can make a play for me.''

The right-hander gave up three runs in eight innings against the Phillies on May 10, including a homer to Maikel Franco in his final inning. He got only one run of support and took a 3-2 loss.

Franco is 4 for 6 off Wisler, who tries to help the Braves pick up a rare victory after they fell 8-2 to the Pirates on Thursday. Jeff Francoeur went 3 for 4 with a solo homer, but his teammates mustered only four other hits.

Atlanta shortstop Erick Aybar could be back in the lineup after sitting out Thursday. He had to be sedated to remove a chicken bone he swallowed during a pregame meal but returned to the team later.