ATLANTA - The Braves and Phillies barely had time to catch their breath after a tense Game 1, and now the whole series turns quickly to Wednesday afternoon at Truist Park.
Atlanta has a chance to finish the job and move on to the National League Division Series. Philadelphia, after dropping the opener 5-3, needs a win to stay alive.
As Kyle Schwarber put it after Game 1: “We're looking forward to [Game 2],” Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber said after his club’s 5-3 loss in Game 1. “I don't think you're going to see anyone down anymore.
I think everyone's focus is really turned towards tomorrow.”
Game 2 is set for 2 p.m. ET on Wednesday and will air on NBC and Peacock.
The Wild Card Series will also be available in Spanish on Universo, with Univision Radio carrying Spanish-language audio coverage. ESPN Radio will provide live national coverage of all 2026 MLB Postseason games, beginning with the Wild Card Series.
The pitching matchup gives this one a very different feel. For Philadelphia, Cristopher Sánchez gets the ball after another standout regular season.
He finished second in the NL in strikeouts with 231, second in innings pitched with 207 and sixth in ERA at 2.91. He was especially tough at home, going 12-3 with a 2.23 ERA in 19 starts, though his road numbers were less sharp at 6-4 with a 3.87 ERA in 14 outings.
Sánchez has also had trouble solving Atlanta, going 0-5 in nine career appearances, eight of them starts, against the Braves, though he still owns a 3.26 ERA in those games and a 2.19 mark across four starts over the last two seasons.
Atlanta counters with Mahle, who emerged as the most effective starting pitcher moved before this year’s Trade Deadline. The right-hander had a 5.13 ERA in 18 starts for the Giants before he was acquired, then turned in a 1.28 ERA in eight starts for Atlanta before allowing five earned runs over five innings in his final regular season outing against the Reds. He also gave Philadelphia fits in September, giving up one earned run across 13 innings in two starts.
Philadelphia’s lineup should shift a bit with the Braves sending a right-hander to the mound. Brandon Marsh and Justin Crawford are expected to replace Bryan De La Cruz and Derek Hill, respectively, with the rest of the order likely staying close to what the Phillies used in Game 1:
- Trea Turner, SS
- Kyle Schwarber, DH
- Bryce Harper, RF
- Alec Bohm, 1B
- Bryson Stott, 2B
- Edmundo Sosa, 3B
- Brandon Marsh, LF
- J.T.
Realmuto, C
9.
Justin Crawford, CF
Atlanta’s projected order is listed this way:
- Drake Baldwin, DH
- Ronald Acuña Jr., RF
- Matt Olson, 1B
- Michael Harris II, CF
- Mauricio Dubón, SS
- Ozzie Albies, 2B
- Brewer Hicklen, LF
- Austin Riley, 3B
- Sean Murphy, C
The bullpen situation remains a major storyline for Philadelphia after its Game 1 approach didn’t pay off. Rookie right-hander Alex McFarlane was first out of the bullpen in the sixth, and interim manager Don Mattingly then went to closer Jhoan Duran with the idea of covering the final three innings.
If Duran had run into trouble and the Phillies needed another arm to finish the ninth, the next option likely would have come from right-hander Jonathan Bowlan, who has not pitched since Sept. 17 because of a right groin injury, or left-hander José Alvarado. Starter Andrew Painter could be in play for Game 2, and Zack Wheeler may become an option if the series reaches a Game 3.
For the Braves, Didier Fuentes, Dylan Lee and Raisel Iglesias were the only relievers used in Game 1, and all three should be ready for high-leverage spots again. Robert Suarez could also be used to protect a lead or keep the game within reach late.
There are a few roster and injury notes worth keeping in mind. Luis Arraez is not on the Phillies’ roster after badly spraining his left ankle on Thursday, with Otto Kemp taking his place.
Edmundo Sosa tweaked his groin in Sunday’s season finale and looked a little limited on his double in Game 1, but he remains available. For Atlanta, Lane Thomas, who suffered an intercostal muscle strain on Sept. 11, could be available during the NLDS.
Bryce Elder, Reynaldo López and Martín Pérez may also be available in future rounds.
The form guide entering the postseason has not been kind to Philadelphia’s offense. The Phillies hit just .226 in September, ranking 28th in MLB, with a .660 OPS that ranked 29th.
Even so, J.T. Realmuto came through in Game 1 with a clutch two-run triple after looking like one of the hitters most in need of a spark.
Atlanta’s recent production has been more encouraging. Dubón has a team-best .993 OPS since Sept. 14, while Harris has posted a .870 OPS and Baldwin sits at .996.
Riley, who spent much of the season scuffling, has now homered in three of his last seven games. Albies also had a tough September, but he delivered a key triple in Game 1.
A few more numbers hang over this matchup. The Phillies have won their last three playoff series against the Braves - the 1993 NL Championship Series, the 2022 NLDS and the 2023 NLDS - and took 10 of the 14 games in those series.
Olson, Albies, Acuña and Riley have combined to go 28-for-72 (.389) against Sánchez. And history strongly favors the Game 1 winner in a best-of-three Wild Card Series: teams that take the opener have gone on to win 21 of 24 times, or 88%.
The previous three teams to rally after losing Game 1 all did it as the home team, and in the 10th instance of the home club winning Game 1 in this format, that team has gone on to win the series every time.
In Other News...
Braves Wild Card Roster Includes Two Surprise Bench Decisions
The Braves Wild Card roster brought a couple of notable bench choices into focus as Atlanta set up for the 2026 NL opener. Non-roster infielders Rowdy Tellez and Luke Williams both made the cut after being in the organization before Sept. 1, giving the club additional infield flexibility and some extra matchup options if the games get tight late.
Atlanta also made corresponding roster moves to clear the way, with right-hander Ricky Vanasco designated for assignment and Elieser Hernndez removed from the 40-man roster. The Braves are carrying 11 pitchers for the round, which leaves the bench built around versatility as much as depth, a sign the team is preparing for a short series where one pinch-hit decision can matter just as much as a bullpen call. [Read more 🡒]
Braves Could Get An Early Phillies Test From A Risky Game 1 Plan
The Phillies have already locked up a postseason berth, but their Game 1 Wild Card pitching plan suggests they are willing to get creative right away. According to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, Philadelphia is planning to use Jesus Luzardo as an opener, with Andrew Painter following out of the bullpen, a move that reflects how carefully the club is trying to manage its arms as October begins.
For Atlanta, the setup matters because it could create an early look at a Phillies staff that is being handled with some flexibility and risk. Luzardo is returning from the injured list, which makes the opener idea a little more volatile, and Painter could wind up in a bulk relief role after those first innings. The result is a Game 1 approach that may not look conventional, but it could shape how the Braves would have to attack Philadelphia if the matchup comes together. [Read more 🡒]
Braves Flipped Game 1 Late In A Win Fans Will Debate
For most of Game 1, the Braves and Phillies traded the kind of October blows that can swing a short series before the first night is even over. Philadelphia got the first big hit from Alec Bohm, then the Braves answered through Ozzie Albies, whose RBI triple briefly put Atlanta in front and set up a tense finish that felt every bit like postseason baseball.
JT Realmutos two-run triple pushed the Phillies back ahead, but Atlanta never let the game slip away for long. Austin Riley changed the tone in the eighth with a go-ahead homer that sent the Braves to a 5-3 win, leaving both sides with plenty to unpack after a opener that had momentum shifting almost every inning. [Read more 🡒]