Braves Defeat Phillies, Advance to NLDS

Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

October 1, 2026

Braves 6, Phillies 2

The Atlanta Braves punched their ticket to the NLDS after defeating the Philadelphia Phillies 6–2 in Game Three of the NL Wild Card series at Truist Park in Atlanta on Thursday. Michael Harris II crushed a three-run homer in the first. Ozzie Albies smashed a two-run home run in the fourth while Matt Olson added a solo shot in the seventh to score the final run. Additionally, left-hander Ray Kerr, who spent seven seasons in the minors, pitched 3 1/3 innings with two strikeouts in his postseason debut.

Now, the Braves will head on the road to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS starting on Saturday. On the other hand, the Phillies’ season ends on the first day of October.

Braves Jump Ahead

Kerr surrendered a one-out single to Kyle Schwarber in the first, but quickly recovered as the left-hander struck out Bryce Harper swinging. Aaron Nola, on the other hand, walked Ronald Acuña Jr. and Olson. With two runners on, Harris crushed a 387 foot three-run homer off the right-hander to put the Braves ahead 3–0. Nola’s outing came to an end in the second when a Dominic Smith single ended his chances of making it through the first two innings.

The Phillies replaced Nola with reliever Tim Mayza, who got the final out of the second. Zack Wheeler relieved him in the third and allowed a single to Acuña. The latter was tagged out at second on a 4–6 force play. Kerr, meanwhile, issued a free pass to Schwarber as his outing ended after lasting three-plus innings. Grant Holmes replaced Kerr and struck out Bryson Stott looking to end the frame.

Wheeler attempted to settle into the fourth only to walk Austin Riley and give up a 419 foot two-run home run to Albies which increased the Braves lead to five. In the top of the fifth, Bryan De La Cruz singled off Holmes, who also walked Brandon Marsh. Yet, a double play ended the inning to prevent any runs from scoring.

Win Sealed

Holmes’ time on the rubber came to an end in the sixth after giving up a single to Schwarber. Robert Suarez replaced him and surrendered a double to Harper. Schwarber scored off a grounder from Alec Bohm which cut the Braves lead to four. In the bottom half of the inning, Suarez walked Riley and Albies, but struck out Smith to make it through the sixth. Jonathan Bowlan had a chance to retire the side in order in the bottom of the seventh. That was until Olson smashed a 416 foot solo shot off the right-hander, increasing the Braves lead to five.

In the eighth, Dylan Dodd surrendered a lead off triple to Justin Crawford. He scored off a deep sacrifice fly from Trea Turner to cut the deficit to four. Dodd’s outing came to an end as Chris Sale entered the game, striking out Harper to end the inning. The veteran lefty gave up a single to Bohm in the ninth, but he struck out De La Cruz and Otto Kemp to seal the victory for the second time this week after helping the Braves win the series opener.

What Went Right For The Braves

Harris hit a three-run home run in the first, marking the second of his postseason career. Albies crushed a two-run shot of his own while Olson went yard in the seventh. In total, the Braves tallied six hits, six RBI and three home runs. The effort culminated in their first playoff series win over their division rivals.

Kerr lasted 3 1/3 innings with two strikeouts while giving up only one hit to the Phillies in his postseason debut. Holmes received a win after going two innings with two hits, a walk and an earned run. Sale, who has a 1–3 postseason record, sealed the win with three strikeouts, including one against Harper to end the eighth.

What Went Wrong For The Braves

Not much other than the Phillies scoring off Holmes and Dodd giving up an earned run on a sacrifice fly.

What Went Right for the Phillies

Schwarber went 2-for-3 and scored a run. Bohm scored the aforementioned run on a sacrifice fly in the eighth.

What Went Wrong for the Phillies

Nola lasted less than two innings due to surrendering two hits, three earned runs and two walks. He received a loss and has a 16.20 ERA. Wheeler, on the other hand, gave up three hits and two earned runs in four innings with one punch out.

Looking Ahead

As the Phillies season ended, the Braves advanced to the NLDS to face the Dodgers for a fifth time in franchise history. The Braves swept the Dodgers the first time in 1996 and won the last time they met in 2021. This time around, the Dodgers are looking to win a third consecutive NL title.