Phillies vs. Braves preview: Atlanta can end series with win in Game 2

Dustin Judge
Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Brandon Marsh (16) watches his two RBI double.

The Atlanta Braves can end the Philadelphia Phillies’ season Wednesday after Austin Riley’s eighth-inning three-run homer off closer Jhoan Duran carried Atlanta to a 5-3 win in Game 1. The Braves lead the best-of-three NL Wild Card Series 1-0 and need one more win at Truist Park to advance and end a run of postseason heartbreak against their NL East rival.

Atlanta finished 94-68 and won the NL East, while Philadelphia went 88-74 and claimed a wild-card spot. The Braves won nine of 13 regular-season meetings between the clubs, but the Phillies have won three of the last four playoff series between the teams, including NLDS victories in 2022 and 2023. A loss Wednesday would end Philadelphia’s season for the second straight October in this matchup and send Atlanta to the NL Division Series.

Phillies vs. Braves Game 2 information

  • Date: Wednesday, Sept. 30
  • Time: 2 p.m. ET
  • Venue: Truist Park, Atlanta, Georgia
  • TV/Streaming: NBC, ERADM
  • Series: Atlanta leads NL Wild Card Series 1-0

Phillies outlook

Philadelphia has dropped four of its last five games, including Tuesday’s series opener, and enters Wednesday needing a win to force a decisive Game 3. Left-hander Cristopher Sanchez is expected to start for the Phillies after going 18-7 with a 2.91 ERA in the regular season. Interim manager Don Mattingly got more than he expected from Jesus Luzardo in Game 1, who threw five innings of one-run ball on 77 pitches after making an abbreviated start following left shoulder inflammation, according to ESPN.

The bigger issue for Philadelphia has been its bullpen, which posted a 5.79 ERA in September, worst in the majors. Duran blew the lead in Game 1 despite allowing just two homers in 61 regular-season appearances before Riley’s blast. Second baseman Luis Arraez is listed day-to-day with a left ankle sprain, and reliever Jonathan Bowlan is day-to-day with a right groin strain.

Braves outlook

Atlanta’s last five games before Tuesday’s win were 1-4. Right-hander Tyler Mahle is expected to start Game 2 after going 7-10 with a 3.99 ERA in the regular season, though he posted a 1.99 ERA in nine games after joining the Braves. Chris Sale gave up three runs while fading in the seventh inning of his first career playoff start for Atlanta, but the bullpen behind him delivered, with Dylan Lee tossing a scoreless eighth and Raisel Iglesias closing it out for the save.

Atlanta’s rotation remains shorthanded, with starters Bryce Elder (right knee surgery) and Martin Perez (back inflammation) both on the 15-day injured list. Relievers Reynaldo Lopez (right shoulder inflammation) and Joe Jimenez (left knee surgery) are also out, and outfielder Lane Thomas remains on the 10-day IL with a left side strain.

Key matchup: Sanchez’s command vs. an Atlanta lineup finding its groove

Sanchez’s 2.91 ERA gives Philadelphia its best chance to even the series, but he’ll face an Atlanta order that got right field production from Ronald Acuna Jr., who went 9 for 39 with three homers and eight RBIs over his last 10 regular-season games, according to FOX Sports. Matt Olson, Atlanta’s home run and RBI leader with 41 and 93, anchors the middle of the lineup behind Acuna and Ozzie Albies. Riley enters with momentum after his go-ahead homer, a result he called satisfying following a .219 regular season, telling reporters the postseason is “a clean slate.”

For Philadelphia to survive, Sanchez needs length to keep a taxed bullpen off the mound early, the same formula that let Atlanta pounce on Duran once Luzardo departed Game 1.

Players to watch

Kyle Schwarber, DH, Phillies

Schwarber led Philadelphia with 45 home runs this season. The Phillies need his power to jump-start an offense that managed just three runs in Tuesday’s loss.

Austin Riley, 3B, Braves

Riley’s series-turning homer came after a difficult regular season in which he hit .219 with 19 home runs. Braves ace Chris Sale noted Riley maintained his approach throughout the stretch, saying, “He’s the same guy. He kept doing the work and had a great moment.”

J.T. Realmuto, C, Phillies

Realmuto’s two-run triple in the seventh inning of Game 1 briefly put Philadelphia ahead before Atlanta’s bullpen and Riley’s homer turned the game. His bat in the middle of the order will matter if the Phillies need to erase another deficit.

What to watch

A Braves win Wednesday ends Philadelphia’s season. The Phillies have won three of the last four postseason series against Atlanta, including NLDS wins in 2022 and 2023, so a Philadelphia victory would force a decisive Game 3 at Truist Park. Weather is expected to be 84 degrees with no chance of precipitation, according to official data, removing any concern about a delay affecting the pitching matchup.

Reporting from ESPN, FOX Sports, CBS Sports and Yahoo Sports contributed to this story. Official statistics: ESPN (official league data).

Dustin Judge is the Founder and CEO of Total Apex Media, bringing more than 20 years of writing and editorial experience to the company's growing network of digital publications. He specializes in sports, sports betting, fantasy sports, and digital publishing, with a focus on producing accurate, timely, and engaging content for readers. Dustin oversees editorial strategy, content development, and publishing operations across Total Apex Media while remaining actively involved in sports, betting, and fantasy sports coverage.