Early power surge at Truist Park
The Atlanta Braves eliminated the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday night, winning Game 3 of the National League Wild Card series 6-2. Atlanta took control in the opening inning against Philadelphia starting pitcher Aaron Nola. After Nola issued one-out walks to Ronald Acuna Jr. and Matt Olson, Michael Harris II hit a 387-foot three-run home run to right-center field. Harris had hit into two double plays during Wednesday's 4-3 extra-inning loss before delivering the early lead on Thursday. Phillies manager Don Mattingly removed Nola in the second inning after the right-hander recorded five outs and conceded three runs.
Extending the lead and securing the win
Atlanta continued to generate run support against Philadelphia's bullpen. In the bottom of the fourth inning, Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler walked Austin Riley before second baseman Ozzie Albies connected on a 96.5 mph fastball. Albies sent a 419-foot two-run home run into right field, expanding Atlanta's lead to 5-0.
This is the best moment of my life right now. The last couple of postseason games they sent us home, so it feels great to do it to them here at home. It means everything.
Philadelphia scored in the sixth inning when Alec Bohm grounded out to bring home Kyle Schwarber. Atlanta responded in the seventh inning with a solo home run to center field from Matt Olson against reliever Jonathan Bowlan. Philadelphia added a second run in the eighth inning on a sacrifice fly by Trea Turner that brought home Derek Hill, but Atlanta maintained a four-run cushion.
- Atlanta Braves win Game 1 by 5-3 behind starter Chris Sale
- Philadelphia Phillies win Game 2 by 4-3 in 10 innings to level the series
- Atlanta Braves win Game 3 by 6-2 behind three home runs to take the series 2-1
- Atlanta Braves scheduled to open best-of-five NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers
Pitching execution across nine innings
Braves manager Walt Weiss opted for 32-year-old left-hander Ray Kerr to start Game 3, marking Kerr's postseason debut and fourth career start. Weiss structured the rotation plan so a left-hander would face Philadelphia hitters Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper early in the order. Kerr returned to the majors in August after missing the 2025 season following Tommy John surgery in 2024. Kerr completed 3 1/3 scoreless innings, allowing one hit and one walk, both to Schwarber, before leaving to a standing ovation. Right-hander Grant Holmes followed with two innings of relief, yielding one run to earn the win. To secure the final four outs, Atlanta turned to Game 1 starter Chris Sale. Sale entered in the eighth inning to strike out Harper, then struck out Bryan De La Cruz and pinch-hitter Otto Kemp in the ninth inning to close out the contest.
Series context and the road to Los Angeles
The victory sealed a 2-1 series triumph for Atlanta, marking the club's first postseason series win since the 2021 World Series. It also resolved a sequence of postseason eliminations against Philadelphia, who had knocked Atlanta out of the playoffs in the Division Series in both 2022 and 2023, as well as the 1993 NLCS. Philadelphia's elimination concludes a season where the team fired manager Rob Thomson following a 9-19 start. Atlanta will travel to California to face the two-time defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the best-of-five Division Series on Saturday.