For the third time in five years, the Phillies & Braves will meet in the playoffs. This time, during the 2026 NL Wild Card Round, the two clubs will play a best-of-three in Atlanta, and in a series with a myriad amount of question marks on both sides.
Scheduled Starters and Start Times
- Game 1: Jesús Luzardo (Phillies) vs. Chris Sale (Braves)
- Game 2: TBD vs. TBD
- Game 3: TBD vs. TBD
All games are scheduled for 2 PM ET on NBC. However, be mindful that the Game 3 start time could change, depending on what happens in the other series.
A Look at the Offenses
| Stat |  |  |
|---|---|---|
| Runs Scored | 713 | 742 |
| Home Runs | 204 | 182 |
| OPS% | .707 | .718 |
| Whiff% | 25.0% | 24.7% |
| Hard Hit% | 39.4% | 39.9% |
The Braves’ offense saw Ronald Acuna Jr. catch fire at just the right time. Acuna Jr. slashed .307/.347/.602 with seven home runs and 12 extra-base hits in September. Drake Baldwin, like Acuna Jr., also had a good month. The reigning NL Rookie of the Year slashed .309/.358/.474 with three home runs and 10 extra-base hits.
Those who helped carry a Braves offense in a year where Matt Olson was one of baseball’s best sluggers, and Ozzie Albies returned to form after a down 2025. However, Albies came into the playoffs on a down stretch. His .451 OPS was among the bottom 20 in the Majors during the month.
Still, the Braves are a well-oiled machine. There’s power, between the aforementioned Olson, Acuna Jr., Albies, Baldwin, and Michael Harris II. Additionally, Mauricio Dubon proved to be a very valuable piece for the club in 2026, adding a good contact hitter who can do a lot, both at the plate and in the field.
As for the Phillies, it’s more of a complicated mathematics.
Traditionally, the Phillies have been one of baseball’s best offenses in the decade. Much of that can be attributed to Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper, both of whom had very good years. The problem, though, has been trying to get support alongside those two.
Luis Arraez provided some support. But after he suffered an ankle injury last week and missed all of the club’s weekend series against Tampa Bay, he won’t be available in the opening round. Then, there’s J.T. Realmuto and Brandon Marsh.
The two got on the board this weekend, much needed given just how hard of a second half it was for the two. Realmuto, just in September alone, slashed .113/.203/.183 during the final month. Marsh, who was a 2026 NL All-Star, slashed .154/.182/.250. And with Chris Sale on the mound in Game 1, it might not be the easiest run for a team full of good left-handed hitters.
A Look at the Pitching
| Stat | | |
|---|---|---|
| Starters’ ERA | 3.80 | 3.76 |
| Relievers’ ERA | 4.43 | 3.44 |
| Strikeouts | 1577 | 1350 |
| Opponents’ AVG | .248 | .234 |
| Chase% | 32.7% | 30.9% |
The Phillies’ starting pitchers led the league in total strikeouts, as did their entire pitching staff. Thanks to Zack Wheeler, Cristopher Sanchez, & Jesús Luzardo, the Phillies were able to trot out a formidable trio atop the rotation that kept them in games most nights.
Here’s the issue: both Wheeler & Luzardo pitched on the 27th, a game that the Phillies needed to win to get into the playoffs. Luzardo isn’t fully stretched out to this point, although he will start Game 1. And it would be a tall ask to get Wheeler to pitch unless it was in Game 3 on short rest.
Aaron Nola would have been an easy choice to go in Game 1. Over his last 11 starts, Nola posted a 2.93 ERA and struck out 61 over 61 frames. But he went on the 26th on two days rest, in an attempt to avoid that must-win scenario in game #162.
Sanchez is a given. Andrew Painter pitched very well over the final two months, as he struck out 56 over his last 55 and posted a sub-4.00 ERA. But there are a lot of questions, including how the Phillies can also piece things together between the start and the end (Jhoan Duran).
The Braves, meanwhile, will throw out ace Chris Sale in Game 1. Like the Phillies, the Braves do have to figure out how to piece together the start of games. Martin Perez was a force, as we noted a couple of weeks ago, during the second half. But he’s on the IL. Tyler Mahle pitched very well down the stretch.
What may be the edge for the Braves in this series is the fact that Atlanta has a deep bullpen. The kind of bullpen that’s perfect for a playoff series: a mix of hard-throwers, high swing-and-miss & chase pitchers, plus different looks. Between funky Brent Suter, hard-thrower Didier Fuentes, and Raisel Iglesias, Walt Weiss has the options.
Our Prediction
The Braves are our favorite. Philadelphia is coming this series behind the ball, and a lot of uncertainty thanks to their pitching staff.
Check out more of our MLB coverage.