The Braves and Phillies are headed to a decisive Game 3 after two tightly contested games.
- The Braves took Game 1 on Austin Riley's go-ahead blast.
- The Phillies answered with a 4-3 victory in 10 innings Wednesday, capped by Alec Bohm's extra-inning homer.
- The series is now headed to a winner-take-all Game 3.
The Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies are set to face off in a winner-take-all Game 3 of their National League Wild Card Series. The story was first reported by sports.yahoo.com.
Game 1 of the series went from a pitcher's duel between Chris Sale and Jesús Luzardo for the first five innings into an offensive back-and-forth over the final four frames.
The Braves Take Game 1
Austin Riley stepped up for Atlanta in the bottom of the eighth and took Duran deep to right field on a first-pitch heater down the middle for a three-run blast.
Raisel Iglesias made quick work of the Phillies in the top of the ninth to hold onto a 5-3 Braves win.
This marked the Braves' 10th win in their last 12 games against the Phillies, with a 9-4 season series advantage.
The Braves' offense, led by Ronald Acuña Jr. and Ozzie Albies, finished the regular season with 742 runs and a 3.63 ERA, compared to the Phillies' 713 runs and 4.04 ERA.
This disparity in offense was a key factor in the Braves' success against the Phillies, as they were able to capitalize on the Phillies' struggles at the plate.
The Braves' bullpen also played a crucial role in Game 1, with Raisel Iglesias earning the save and the Braves' relievers combining for 4.1 scoreless innings.
The Phillies Answer Back
The Phillies answered with a 4-3 victory in 10 innings Wednesday, capped by Alec Bohm's extra-inning homer.
This marked the Phillies' 10th win in their last 12 games against the Braves, with a 4-9 season series disadvantage.
The Phillies' offense, led by Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber, showed resilience in the face of adversity, coming back from a 3-1 deficit in the 10th inning.
The Phillies' bullpen also played a key role in the game, with several relievers combining for 5.1 scoreless innings and helping to set up Alec Bohm's game-winning homer.
Game 3 Preview
The Braves are expected to use a bullpen game, with left-hander Ray Kerr likely opening before the Braves hand the ball to multiple relievers.
The Phillies are expected to turn to veteran right-hander Aaron Nola, who could be backed by an all-hands-on-deck bullpen that may include Zack Wheeler on short rest if needed.
This matchup features two offenses capable of changing a game with one swing, with the Braves' Austin Riley and the Phillies' Alec Bohm both having hit game-tying or go-ahead home runs in the series so far.
The Stage is Set
The Braves and Phillies have a long history of intense rivalry, with the Braves winning the World Series in 2021 and the Phillies winning the World Series in 2008.
The winner of this series will move on to the National League Division Series, where they will face off against the winner of the St. Louis Cardinals and the Los Angeles Dodgers series.
This series has been marked by a series of intense and closely contested games, with both teams showing a willingness to fight until the end.
Sources
- Yahoo Sports: Watch Braves' Austin Riley deliver dramatic go-ahead home run vs Phillies
- Syracuse: Yes, you can watch Phillies vs. Braves Wild Card Game 3 for free today
