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Phillies vs Braves will renew one of baseball’s most compelling rivalries when Philadelphia visits Atlanta for Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series on Tuesday at Truist Park. The best-of-three series begins at 2 p.m. ET, with the game available on NBC and Peacock.
The matchup carries plenty of postseason history. This is the third time in five years that the Phillies and Braves have met in the playoffs. Philadelphia has won the clubs’ last three postseason series, including the 1993 National League Championship Series and the 2022 and 2023 NL Division Series.
Phillies vs Braves Set for a Critical Wild Card Opener
Atlanta enters the postseason as the NL East champion after winning the division for the seventh time in nine seasons. However, regular-season success has not guaranteed playoff results for the Braves. Atlanta won more than 100 games in both 2022 and 2023 before being eliminated by Philadelphia in the Division Series.
“It just feels right, doesn’t it?” Braves first baseman Matt Olson said, according to MLB.com. “We’ve had a lot of good battles with them. We’ve got a lot of respect for them. They’re a good team. We’re ready to rock.”
That recent history gives Tuesday’s opener an added edge. The winner will gain an early advantage in a short series where one poor inning, bullpen decision or defensive mistake could dramatically change the outcome.
Jesús Luzardo Takes an Unusual Path to Game 1
The Phillies will turn to left-hander Jesús Luzardo, although he is not expected to work as a traditional starter. Luzardo has not started since Sept. 7, when he threw a two-hit shutout against Atlanta in Philadelphia.
The 28-year-old has been working his way back from inflammation in his left shoulder and is not fully built up for a typical postseason start. His only appearance against batters since the injury came Sunday, when he threw a four-pitch eighth inning.
Philadelphia could use rookie right-hander Andrew Painter during the game. The Phillies have struggled with bullpen games during Luzardo’s absence, so his presence, even in a limited role, could help stabilize a pitching staff under pressure.
The Phillies may also make several starting pitchers available in relief. Zack Wheeler, who pitched in Sunday’s regular-season finale, could become an option later in the series, while Painter may be used in multiple situations.
Chris Sale Brings Dominant Numbers and Playoff Questions
Atlanta will counter with veteran left-hander Chris Sale, who is coming off one of the strongest regular seasons in Braves history. Sale ranked third in the Majors with a 2.16 ERA and posted a 2.08 ERA across four starts against the Phillies.
Despite those impressive numbers, Sale’s postseason record is far less comfortable. He owns a 7.24 ERA in seven playoff starts and has completed fewer than five innings in four of those appearances. His most famous postseason performance came in relief for the Boston Red Sox, when he struck out all three Los Angeles Dodgers hitters he faced to close the 2018 World Series.
Sale is competing in the postseason for the first time since 2021 and will be expected to give Atlanta length in a game that could quickly become a battle between the starting pitchers and the bullpens.
Starting Lineups Highlight Different Offensive Challenges
Philadelphia’s lineup has been reshuffled several times as manager Don Mattingly searches for an offensive spark. The Phillies ranked near the bottom of the Majors in September, finishing 29th in batting average, slugging percentage, OPS and runs per game.
- Phillies: Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, Bryce Harper, Alec Bohm, Derek Hill, Bryan De La Cruz, Bryson Stott, Edmundo Sosa and J.T. Realmuto.
- Braves: Drake Baldwin, Ronald Acuña Jr., Matt Olson, Mauricio Dubón, Michael Harris II, Ozzie Albies, Austin Riley, Mike Yastrzemski and Ha-Seong Kim.
Acuña enters the matchup as one of Atlanta’s biggest offensive threats. He produced a remarkable 1.377 OPS in seven September games against Philadelphia. Drake Baldwin, Dubón and Harris have also been among the Braves’ most productive hitters recently.
Atlanta’s lineup, however, has not been uniformly hot. Riley hit two home runs during the final week of the regular season, while Albies struggled to a sub-.500 OPS over the final stretch.
Bullpens and Injuries Could Decide the Series
The Phillies’ bullpen remains a major concern. Alex McFarlane, Jonathan Bowlan and José Alvarado have become trusted late-inning options alongside closer Jhoan Duran. Philadelphia will need those relievers to handle high-leverage situations if Luzardo exits early.
Atlanta hopes Robert Suarez can provide a boost after making only two appearances over the previous three months. His recent outings convinced the Braves that his right elbow is healthy enough for important bullpen work. Raisel Iglesias, Dylan Lee and Didier Fuentes could form a formidable late-game group.
Philadelphia will be without Luis Arraez, who badly sprained his left ankle and will not be included on the Wild Card roster. Otto Kemp has taken his place. Bowlan returned to the active roster after missing more than a week with a strained right calf.
The Braves are also expected to be without Lane Thomas, who is dealing with a left intercostal strain. His absence could move Dubón to left field against left-handed pitching, with Yastrzemski potentially starting in left against right-handers.
FAQ: Phillies vs Braves Wild Card Series
When is Game 1 of the Phillies vs Braves series?
Game 1 is scheduled for Tuesday at 2 p.m. ET at Truist Park in Atlanta.
Who are the starting pitchers?
Jesús Luzardo is expected to begin for Philadelphia in a limited opener-style role. Chris Sale will start for Atlanta.
How many games are in the Wild Card Series?
The series is a best-of-three matchup. The first team to win two games advances.
Which team has the recent postseason edge?
Philadelphia has won the last three playoff series between the clubs, including the 2022 and 2023 NL Division Series.
Why is Ronald Acuña Jr. important for Atlanta?
Acuña posted a 1.377 OPS in seven September games against Philadelphia, making him a critical part of Atlanta’s offensive attack.
