Phillies vs. Braves Game 3 set for 8 p.m. ET with NLDS berth at stake
Philadelphia and Atlanta meet in a decisive Wild Card Game 3 Thursday, with Aaron Nola starting and the Dodgers awaiting the winner.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
3 min read
Phillies vs. Braves Game 3 will decide the National League Wild Card Series on Thursday night, with first pitch scheduled for 8 p.m. ET at Truist Park in Atlanta. The series is tied 1-1, and the winner will move on to face the Dodgers in the NLDS.
NBC and Peacock will carry the game. MLB said Universo will air Spanish-language television coverage, while Univision Radio will provide Spanish-language audio and ESPN Radio will have national radio coverage.
Philadelphia forced the deciding game with a 4-3, 10-inning win in Game 2 after Atlanta took the opener. Alec Bohm hit the winning home run in the extra-inning victory, according to MLB and Sportsbook Wire.
How can I watch Phillies vs. Braves Game 3?
- When: Thursday, Oct. 1, 8 p.m. ET
- Where: Truist Park, Atlanta
- TV: NBC and Peacock
- Spanish-language coverage: Universo and Univision Radio
- National radio: ESPN Radio
Who is pitching for the Phillies and Braves?
The Phillies have named right-hander Aaron Nola as their starter. Nola made three starts against Atlanta during the regular season and posted a 4.50 ERA in those outings, MLB reported.
The Braves will open with left-hander Ray Kerr, then expect right-hander Grant Holmes to take on much of the remaining work. MLB said Kerr will be tasked with facing Philadelphia sluggers Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber early, while Holmes is expected to handle the bulk innings.
Both clubs could make liberal use of their bullpens in a win-or-go-home game. MLB reported that Philadelphia manager Don Mattingly described his pitching plan as “all hands on deck,” with Zack Wheeler, Jesús Luzardo and Andrew Painter among the potential options. For Atlanta, Raisel Iglesias, Didier Fuentes and Dylan Lee were expected to be available.
What are the expert picks for Phillies vs. Braves Game 3?
A five-writer CBS Sports panel leaned narrowly toward Atlanta, with three selections for the home team and two for Philadelphia. Kate Feldman picked the Braves 8-4, Dayn Perry took Atlanta 7-5 and Matt Snyder chose the Braves 5-4.
Mike Axisa predicted a 5-2 Phillies win, while Julian McWilliams projected Philadelphia to prevail 7-3. Those are opinions, rather than an indication of the likely result.
Betting prices were not uniform across the reports published Thursday. CBS Sports listed Atlanta as a strong favorite at one point, while Action Network, via Yahoo, had Philadelphia at minus-115 and Atlanta at minus-105. Sportsbook Wire later listed each side at minus-110. All three reports listed a 7.5-run total, but odds can change by sportsbook and time.
The lineups include Philadelphia’s Trea Turner, Schwarber, Harper and Bohm, and Atlanta’s Drake Baldwin, Ronald Acuña Jr., Matt Olson and Michael Harris II, according to MLB’s Game 3 preview.
This story draws on original reporting from CBS Sports.