Braves Ride Kerr's Scoreless Opener Past Phillies Into NLDS vs Dodgers
The short version
- Atlanta defeated Philadelphia 6-2 in game three of the Wild Card round to reach the NLDS.
- The win is the Braves' first postseason series victory since the 2021 World Series.
- Ray Kerr worked 3 1/3 scoreless innings as an opener in his postseason debut.
- The NLDS against the Dodgers, a best-of-five, opens Saturday at Dodger Stadium.
- The Phillies have now lost four straight postseason series.
Ray Kerr threw 3 1/3 scoreless innings as an opener and Chris Sale closed out a 6-2 win over Philadelphia that put Atlanta into an NLDS matchup with the Dodgers.
The Atlanta Braves are moving on in the 2026 MLB postseason after a 6-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday in game three of the Wild Card round at Truist Park. The result sends Atlanta into a National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers and gives the franchise its first postseason series win since the 2021 World Series.
Home runs powered the offense. Michael Harris II connected for a three-run drive in the first inning, Ozzie Albies added a two-run shot in the fourth, and Matt Olson completed the scoring with a solo homer in the seventh.
Manager Walt Weiss handed the ball to left-hander Ray Kerr as an opener for the elimination game, and the gamble worked: 3 1/3 shutout innings with just one hit and one walk allowed, including repeated encounters with left-handed sluggers Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper. Schwarber managed only a single and a walk against him. The appearance was Kerr's postseason debut and just the fourth start of his career. He sat out the majors last year following Tommy John surgery in 2024 and was added to Atlanta's big-league roster on August 16.
A sellout crowd of 41,731, up sharply from the first two games of the series, sent Kerr off with a standing ovation, and he acknowledged the fans with a raised arm on his way to the dugout. Weiss told reporters, in comments relayed by MLB Trade Rumors, "Hopefully Ray Kerr became a bit of a household name tonight," adding that the reliever "deserves it" after an "amazing story of perseverance." Grant Holmes followed Kerr and gave up one run across two innings.
Chris Sale, who started the series opener, handled the final outs of the clincher. He fanned Harper in the eighth, then sealed the ninth by retiring pinch-hitter Otto Kemp and Bryan De La Cruz. Sale said he is prepared for the next round, remarking, "If I'd have to pitch tomorrow, I'd pitch tomorrow."
Philadelphia's pitchers had a rough night. Aaron Nola was tagged for three runs over 1 2/3 innings, and Zack Wheeler lasted four innings but surrendered Albies' go-ahead blast.
The loss was the Phillies' fourth consecutive postseason series defeat; their last round win came against these same Braves in the 2023 NLDS. Across five straight playoff trips, their finishes have arrived progressively sooner: a 2022 World Series loss to Houston, an NL Championship Series exit, two NLDS eliminations and now a wild-card loss. The club also faces decisions on interim manager Don Mattingly, who took charge in April and revived the season before a late fade.
Up next is a best-of-five NLDS against the Dodgers, the reigning two-time World Series champions. Games 1 and 2 will be played Saturday at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles before the series shifts to Atlanta. No games are scheduled Friday, giving both teams a rest and preparation day.
Per Global Sportscast's schedule, Atlanta's next listed fixture is away to Atletico Rafaela on Sunday, October 4 at 4:30 PM EDT at Estadio Nuevo Monumental.
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