Braves Advance to NLDS With Game 3 Victory Over Phillies

The Atlanta Braves defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in a winner-take-all Wild Card game to advance to the National League Division Series against the defending champion Dodgers. The Braves' bullpen strategy backfired for the Phillies, who started Aaron Nola instead of ace Zack Wheeler in the elimination game, and Nola lasted just 1⅔ innings after allowing a three-run home run to Michael Harris II. Multiple Braves hitters contributed power throughout the game, including home runs from Ozzie Albies and Matt Olson.

The Braves' pitching depth proved decisive in their postseason advancement. Atlanta's rotation faced significant injury challenges throughout the season yet maintained the fifth-best ERA in baseball, demonstrating organizational resilience. Ray Kerr exemplified this depth—a journeyman who worked retail jobs before signing with the Mariners in 2017, underwent Tommy John surgery with Atlanta in 2024, and returned in August with an impressive 1.47 ERA in limited appearances before earning the elimination game start.

The Philadelphia decision to start Aaron Nola rather than ace Zack Wheeler in a winner-take-all game proved costly. Nola's season performance had been inconsistent, posting a 5.75 ERA in the first half before improving to 3.33 in the second half. Wheeler, meanwhile, had just pitched effectively on short rest against Tampa Bay, suggesting availability and readiness for postseason pressure situations.