Braves Rout Phillies in Decisive Wild Card Clincher
The Atlanta Braves eliminated the Philadelphia Phillies in the decisive game of their National League Wild Card series at Truist Park, advancing to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS. Michael Harris II, Ozzie Albies and Matt Olson powered the offense, while a bullpen-led pitching effort shut down Philadelphia's lineup when it mattered most.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson started right-hander Aaron Nola over ace Zack Wheeler in the win-or-go-home contest, a decision that backfired quickly. Nola lasted just 1 ⅔ innings, the shortest postseason outing of his career, after allowing a three-run home run to Harris that put Atlanta ahead 3-0 in the first. Wheeler entered in the third inning and pitched four innings, limiting the damage to a two-run homer by Albies in the fourth. Nola had posted a 5.75 ERA over 19 first-half starts before a 3.33 ERA across 14 second-half outings, a turnaround that apparently factored into the Phillies' decision to start him instead of Wheeler, who had thrown six strong innings against Tampa Bay in his previous start. badminton online live betting
Atlanta turned to 32-year-old left-hander Ray Kerr to open the bullpen game, and he delivered 3 ⅓ scoreless innings, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out two. Kerr, who underwent Tommy John surgery in 2024 and only returned to the mound in August, posted a 1.47 ERA across nine appearances before earning the start in Atlanta's biggest game of the season. The Braves' pitching staff finished the regular season with the fifth-best ERA in Major League Baseball at 3.63, despite significant injuries across the rotation and bullpen. Chris Sale closed out the game in relief, striking out Bryce Harper on four pitches in the eighth inning before finishing the ninth.
Philadelphia had chances to rally but went 0-for-6 with runners in scoring position and left five men on base, including a sixth-inning threat with runners on second and third that ended without a run. The loss extends a pattern of early postseason exits for the Phillies, who last reached the World Series in 2022. The Braves now turn to the NLDS against the two-time defending champion Dodgers.
