The Braves are staring straight into the kind of Game 3 that can define a season. It’s a do-or-die matchup against a division rival, and the setup is brutal: likely Zack Wheeler on the mound for Philadelphia, while Atlanta goes in without a true starting pitcher of its own.
Grant Holmes is expected to shoulder a major part of the load, and Ray Kerr should also factor in as a useful option against the left-handed bats at the top of the Phillies’ order before the bullpen takes over. That reality traces back to the offseason and the trade deadline, where the Braves never added another starter to the mix. Injuries piled up, prospects didn’t make the leap, and now Atlanta is left without a clean answer for the most important game of the series, even after lining up its pitching staff for this matchup.
If the Braves pull it out, the issue doesn’t disappear. If they don’t, it’ll be a talking point all winter, the kind of thing that lingers through what could be a long offseason. Buckle up.
One bright spot has been Tyler Mahle, the club’s lone major starter addition. He’s given Atlanta far more than anyone could reasonably have expected, with two months of strong pitching after the deadline and 7.0 innings of one-run ball in Game 2. He’s been so good that bringing him back to Atlanta sounds like a real possibility.
Walt Weiss spoke with the media after Game 2 and addressed both the in-game management and Mahle’s outing.
Mahle did his job, but the Braves still dropped Game 2 because the offense didn’t hit enough homers and the bullpen faded, setting up this all-or-nothing Game 3.
Around the league, the Cinderella White Sox punched their ticket to the ALDS in a wide-open American League by knocking out the Astros.
The Yankees advanced too, hammering their longtime rival Red Sox.
Meanwhile, the Padres were leading the Cubs at the time of writing, and that result will determine when the Braves play Game 3. A Padres win would send the Braves and Phillies into primetime, while a Cubs win would push them into their usual 2 p.m. Wild Card slot.
In Other News...
Eagles Passing Game Faces A Major Rams Test Without A Star Receiver
The Eagles head into their matchup with the Rams already short on one of Jalen Hurts most trusted targets, with DeVonta Smith not expected to play because of a hamstring injury. Smith has not practiced this week, and the timing is less than ideal for a passing game that has leaned on his route-running and ability to separate when the offense needs a stabilizing catch.
Philadelphia is planning to move forward with Dontayvion Wicks, Makai Lemon and Darius Cooper at wide receiver, while Hollywood Brown remains out with an ankle injury. That leaves the Eagles trying to piece together a workable passing attack against a Rams defense that can force quarterbacks to be precise, and it puts even more pressure on the rest of the receiver room to create answers quickly. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Injuries Could Finally Open The Door For Darius Cooper
The Eagles head into Week 4 dealing with a receiver situation that could force some reshuffling against the Los Angeles Rams. With DeVonta Smith and Hollywood Brown both banged up, Philadelphia may need to lean deeper into the roster, and that has put Darius Cooper in a more interesting spot than he has been in most weeks.
Cooper has already carved out a role on special teams, and he also came through with a game-winning touchdown earlier this season, giving the staff at least one reason to trust him if the offense needs another option. Even so, Makai Lemon is expected to start, so any larger opportunity for Cooper may hinge on how much the Eagles can ask of a receiver group that is suddenly thinner than planned. [Read more 🡒]
Eagles Rookie Makai Lemon Faces A Huge Chance At The Perfect Time
Makai Lemons first month in Philadelphia has been more about steady growth than splash plays, which is not unusual for a rookie receiver trying to find his footing in the NFL. The Eagles 20th overall pick in the 2026 draft has gone three games without the kind of breakout performance that turns heads, but the opportunity in front of him suddenly looks much bigger with DeVonta Smith expected to miss the upcoming matchup against the Rams.
For an offense that has been easing Lemon along, the timing could not be better. Sean Mannion has already shown confidence in the rookies development and believes he can handle a larger role, and now the Eagles may need him to do exactly that when the workload opens up. It is the kind of chance young receivers wait for, especially on a roster that has a clear need in the passing game and a game on the calendar that could push Lemon into the spotlight sooner than expected. [Read more 🡒]