The Philadelphia Phillies are OUT. Their postseason run is done after falling 6-2 to the Atlanta Braves in the decisive Game 3 of their National League Wild Card Series on Thursday night. This loss sends the Phillies packing and keeps their streak of progressively quicker postseason exits going, a rough trend that kicked off after their 2022 World Series loss.
Braves’ Bats Went OFF, Philly Pitching Couldn’t Hang
From the jump, the Braves bats were absolutely on fire. Michael Harris II smacked a three-run homer in the very first inning, setting the tone big time. Remember how he hit into two double plays in Wednesday’s Game 2 loss? Yeah, he more than made up for it.
Phillies right-hander Aaron Nola was not sharp at all, getting pulled after giving up those three runs in a measly 1 2/3 innings. Walking Ronald Acuña Jr. and Matt Olson right before Harris’s bomb? That’s a brutal way to start a do-or-die game.
Then, Ozzie Albies decided to join the party, launching a two-run homer in the fourth inning to stretch Atlanta’s lead to a commanding 5-0. And for good measure, Matt Olson added a solo shot in the seventh. Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler, who actually clinched their wild-card spot with a win over Tampa Bay on Sunday, had his own struggles, walking Austin Riley before Albies’s blast and giving up two runs over four innings. Jonathan Bowlan, Philadelphia’s fourth pitcher of the night, served up Olson’s homer.
Ray Kerr’s Improbable Postseason Debut Shut Down Philly Cold
But let’s talk about the real wildcard here: Ray Kerr. This dude, a lefty making his postseason debut in only his fourth career start, came in and absolutely DOMINATED with 3 1/3 scoreless innings. Can you believe it? Braves manager Walt Weiss specifically wanted a left-hander to deal with Phillies big bats Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper, and Kerr delivered BIG TIME. He only allowed one hit, to Schwarber in the first, and one walk, also to Schwarber in the fourth. Kerr left the field to a full-on standing ovation from the sellout crowd, and honestly, he earned every bit of it.
Think about Kerr’s journey, too. He’s 32, underwent Tommy John surgery in 2024, didn’t pitch at all in 2025, and was only recalled by Atlanta on August 16, playing in just nine games before this. Talk about stepping up in the biggest moment!
Grant Holmes followed Kerr, allowing one run in two innings and ultimately earning the win. And closing it out? Chris Sale, who started in Atlanta’s 5-3 Game 1 win, sealed the deal by striking out Harper in the eighth, then Bryan De La Cruz and pinch-hitter Otto Kemp in the ninth. Talk about a full team effort on the mound.
What’s Next: Braves Roll On, Phillies Head Home to Heal
With this win, the Braves snagged their first postseason series victory since winning the 2021 World Series, and their first ever playoff series win against the Phillies, who had previously beaten them in the 1993 NL Championship Series, and the 2022 and 2023 NLDS. That’s gotta sting a bit for Philly fans.
Atlanta is now off to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in a best-of-five Division Series. For the Phillies, it’s a long offseason. They’ll need to figure things out, especially with guys like Edmundo Sosa playing through an aggravated groin injury and Luis Arraez still rehabbing a left ankle sprain, keeping him off the roster for the series. The season’s over, but the work for next year starts now.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by Yahoo Sports.
Leave a Reply