The 2026 MLB regular season officially came to an end on September 27 (U.S local time), and all 12 postseason teams have now been confirmed.

The eight teams competing in the Wild Card Series are also officially set. One of the National League Wild Card matchups will feature the No. 6 seed — the third NL Wild Card team — against the No. 3 seed, which goes to the division winner with the worst regular-season record among the three NL division champions.

In this matchup, the Philadelphia Phillies will take on the Atlanta Braves.

⚾️ Wild Card Series Start Times ⚾️

All three games in this series are scheduled to begin at 2:00 PM local time in Atlanta, which is in the U.S. Eastern Time Zone. The games will take place from September 29 through October 1 local time, with all three being played at Truist Park.

For fans planning to attend the games in person, temperatures around first pitch are expected to be approximately 26–28°C (79–82°F). However, temperatures may drop fairly quickly later in the day. Since the games are expected to finish at around 5:00 PM local time, the cooling trend could become more noticeable around that time.

Fans attending the games are therefore advised to keep the temperature changes between the afternoon and evening in mind when choosing what to wear.

⚾️ The History of the Phillies–Braves Rivalry & Their Postseason Meetings ⚾️

The Phillies–Braves matchup has become one of the National League’s most recognizable rivalries, and their postseason history dates all the way back to the 1993 National League Championship Series.

At the time, the Braves were still members of the NL West. Atlanta finished the 1993 regular season with an outstanding 104–58 record and a .642 winning percentage. The team was especially known for its loaded starting rotation, featuring Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, John Smoltz, and left-hander Steve Avery. Maddux, Glavine, and Smoltz would all go on to win Cy Young Awards and become central figures of the Braves’ dominant run throughout the 1990s.

On the other side, the Phillies were one of the breakout teams of the 1993 season. After finishing just 70–92 the year before, Philadelphia surged to a 97–65 record with a .599 winning percentage and captured the NL East title.

Their lineup was led by center fielder Lenny Dykstra, who recorded an NL-best 194 hits that season. Behind the plate was Darren Daulton, who earned his second consecutive All-Star selection in 1993 and served as both an important offensive presence and a key leader for the Phillies.

In many ways, the 1993 NLCS represented a clash between an established National League powerhouse and a rapidly emerging contender.

Philadelphia ultimately defeated Atlanta four games to two to advance to the World Series. The Phillies’ run ended there, however, as they fell to the Toronto Blue Jays in six games, 4–2.

Another notable part of that NLCS was its MVP: Phillies ace Curt Schilling. He would later go on to build one of the most accomplished pitching careers of his era and became especially well known for his performances on the postseason stage.

Then came an interesting twist the following year.

In 1994, Major League Baseball realigned each league from two divisions — East and West — into three divisions: East, Central, and West. As part of that realignment, the Braves moved from the NL West to the NL East, putting Atlanta and Philadelphia in the same division.

In that sense, the 1993 NLCS almost feels like a prologue to what would eventually become decades of direct competition between the Braves and Phillies in the NL East.

Over the next three-plus decades, both the Braves and Phillies enjoyed extended periods of success, gradually establishing themselves as two of the defining powers of the NL East.

Atlanta dominated first. From 1995 through 2005, the Braves won 11 consecutive NL East titles, establishing one of the most dominant stretches in Major League history.

The balance of power then shifted toward Philadelphia. From 2007 through 2011, the Phillies captured five consecutive NL East championships, a run that also included their 2008 World Series title.

Years later, the Braves regained control of the division. Atlanta won six consecutive NL East titles from 2018 through 2023. The Phillies then took over, winning back-to-back division championships in 2024 and 2025.

That streak came to an end in 2026, however, as the Braves reclaimed the NL East crown and prevented Philadelphia from making it three straight.

Looking at the bigger picture makes the extent of their dominance even more striking. From 1995 through 2026 — a span of 32 completed seasons, with the 1994 season having ended prematurely because of the players’ strike and the postseason being canceled — either Atlanta or Philadelphia won the NL East in 26 of those 32 seasons.

That means the Braves and Phillies combined to capture 81.25% of all NL East titles over that span.

In other words, for more than three decades, more than four out of every five NL East championships belonged to one of these two franchises.

That history helps explain why Braves–Phillies is much more than an ordinary divisional matchup. It has developed into a long-running rivalry between two traditional powers that have spent decades battling for control of the NL East.

Another important chapter in the Phillies–Braves rivalry came during the 2022 and 2023 postseasons, when the two teams met in the National League Division Series in back-to-back years.

In both seasons, Atlanta entered October as the NL East champion, while Philadelphia reached the postseason as a Wild Card team.

Yet both series ended almost exactly the same way: the Phillies pulled off the upset and eliminated the Braves in four games, winning each NLDS 3–1. Remarkably, Atlanta finished exactly 14 games ahead of Philadelphia during the regular season in both 2022 and 2023, only to be eliminated by the Phillies in the NLDS both times.

One of the most memorable moments in the modern rivalry came during the 2023 NLDS.

In Game 2, Philadelphia had built an early 4–0 lead, but Atlanta rallied to take the lead late. In the top of the ninth inning, with Bryce Harper on first base, Nick Castellanos drove a ball deep into the outfield. Braves center fielder Michael Harris II made a spectacular catch, and Harper — who had ventured too far off first — was unable to get back in time.

The Braves completed the game-ending double play and won 5–4, evening the series at one game apiece. 

After the game, Braves shortstop Orlando Arcia was overheard in Atlanta’s clubhouse laughing about Harper’s baserunning mistake and repeatedly saying:

“Atta boy, Harper!”

The sarcastic remark quickly spread through the baseball world — and, more importantly, made its way back to Harper and his Phillies teammates. 

Then came Game 3 at Citizens Bank Park.

Harper responded with his bat.

He blasted two home runs and drove in four runs as Philadelphia routed Atlanta 10–2. But the home runs themselves were only part of what made the night so memorable.

As Harper rounded the bases after each homer, he deliberately turned his head toward Arcia near shortstop and stared him down — twice. 

The Philadelphia crowd embraced the drama as well. Arcia received some of the loudest boos of the night during introductions and throughout the game, while “Atta boy, Harper” quickly became one of the defining phrases of the series. After Philadelphia eventually eliminated Atlanta, Phillies players even celebrated with “Atta Boy Harper” shirts in the clubhouse. 

The Phillies finished the job in Game 4 with a 3–1 victory, eliminating the Braves three games to one for the second consecutive postseason and advancing to the NLCS once again. 

From Arcia’s “Atta boy, Harper” remark to Harper’s two home runs and two unforgettable staredowns, the sequence has become one of the most iconic and heated moments in the modern Phillies–Braves rivalry.

⚾️ 2026 Regular-Season Performance, Pitching, Offense & Players to Watch ⚾️

【Atlanta Braves】

The Atlanta Braves finished the 2026 regular season with a 94–68 record and a .580 winning percentage, reclaiming the National League East title. 

Compared with the 2023 Braves team that also won the division, however, this year’s club has reached October in a very different way.

The 2023 Braves were built around one of the most dominant offenses in baseball. Atlanta led the Majors with a .845 team OPS and averaged 5.85 runs per game. Their pitching staff, meanwhile, posted a 4.14 ERA, which ranked just 15th in MLB.

In other words, that Braves team frequently overwhelmed opponents with sheer offensive firepower. 

The 2026 Braves have a much different identity.

Atlanta’s team OPS sits around .718, placing the club near the middle of the league, while its 4.58 runs per game remain above average but well below the historic production of the 2023 lineup.

Pitching, rather than overwhelming offense, has become one of Atlanta’s biggest strengths. The Braves finished with a team ERA around 3.63, ranking among the best pitching staffs in baseball, with both the rotation and bullpen providing strong run prevention throughout the season.

ATL Offense

Matt Olson remains one of the Braves’ primary power threats.

Olson once again played all 162 games, launching 41 home runs and posting a team-leading .823 OPS. His combination of durability and power continues to make him one of the most important hitters in Atlanta’s lineup.

Catcher Drake Baldwin also delivered an excellent offensive season with 25 home runs and an .817 OPS, while center fielder Michael Harris II hit 26 homers with an .812 OPS.

Baldwin finished the regular season batting .284/.358/.459 with 25 home runs, establishing himself as much more than simply an offense-first catcher — he has become a legitimate middle-of-the-order threat. 

The Braves also still feature several familiar members of their postseason core, including Ronald Acuña Jr., Ozzie Albies and Austin Riley.

All three have played significant roles during Atlanta’s repeated postseason appearances over the past several years, giving the Braves plenty of experience when it comes to October baseball and high-pressure situations.

Another player worth watching is Mauricio Dubón.

The versatile utility player appeared in a career-high 153 games this season while setting personal bests with 12 home runs and 73 RBIs.

Dubón’s value extends far beyond his offensive numbers. His ability to defend multiple positions in both the infield and outfield gives Atlanta tremendous flexibility when constructing lineups, making defensive substitutions or creating favorable matchups.

That versatility could become especially valuable in a best-of-three Wild Card Series, where every bench spot and every late-game matchup matters.

ATL Starting Rotation

The Braves’ rotation begins with Chris Sale.

Sale finished the season 14–9 with a 2.16 ERA, striking out exactly 200 batters over 162 2/3 innings while posting a 0.98 WHIP. Even at age 37, he remains an elite strikeout pitcher and will be the centerpiece of Atlanta’s postseason rotation. 

His history against Philadelphia’s biggest left-handed threats also creates an intriguing matchup.

Entering the postseason, Bryce Harper is just 2-for-21 against Sale in his career, while Kyle Schwarber is 2-for-25.

Behind Sale, Tyler Mahle has emerged as one of Atlanta’s most important second-half additions.

Mahle struggled earlier in the season with San Francisco, but after being acquired by the Braves at the Trade Deadline, he went 4–1 with a 1.99 ERA in nine starts, striking out 48 batters over 54 1/3 innings.

Grant Holmes is another likely member of Atlanta’s Wild Card rotation. He logged 151 2/3 innings this season with a 3.44 ERA and 115 strikeouts, providing the Braves with valuable rotation stability throughout the year. 

Martín Pérez was also a major part of Atlanta’s rotation, finishing 9–9 with a 3.04 ERA and 102 strikeouts over 142 innings. However, he was placed on the injured list late in the regular season because of lower-back inflammation and is not expected to be available for the Wild Card Series.

Bryce Elder is also recovering from right knee surgery and appears unlikely to factor into Atlanta’s plans for this round. 

As a result, Atlanta is expected to rely primarily on Sale, Mahle and Holmes in a best-of-three series that requires no more than three starting pitchers.

ATL Bullpen

Atlanta’s bullpen could be one of its biggest advantages entering October.

Closer Raisel Iglesias once again delivered a strong season, finishing with a 2.55 ERA, 34 saves, only three blown saves and 64 strikeouts. He remains Atlanta’s primary option to finish games. 

The return of Robert Suarez could make the back end of the bullpen even more dangerous.

Suarez missed more than three months with right elbow inflammation but was activated on September 23. He ultimately finished the regular season with a remarkable 1.06 ERA over 33 appearances and could resume his role as the primary setup man ahead of Iglesias if he remains healthy. 

Atlanta also has several other relief options, including Didier Fuentes, Dylan Lee, Dylan Dodd, Brent Suter and Ray Kerr.

One particularly useful feature of this bullpen is its collection of left-handers. Lee, Dodd, Suter and Kerr could give Atlanta several matchup options against dangerous Philadelphia left-handed hitters such as Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber.

Fuentes has also emerged as an important bullpen weapon, posting a 2.45 ERA with 92 strikeouts over 73 1/3 innings. 

Overall, the 2026 Braves are very different from the historically powerful offensive team that dominated the league in 2023.

This Atlanta club may not simply overpower opponents with home runs and huge scoring totals, but it enters October with a rotation led by Chris Sale, a deep and versatile bullpen, and enough power throughout the lineup — from Olson and Baldwin to Harris and Acuña — to change a game with one swing.

In a best-of-three Wild Card Series where the margin for error is extremely small, that combination of starting pitching, bullpen depth and home-run potential could define the Braves’ approach against the Phillies.

【Philadelphia Phillies】

Compared with last season, the Phillies have experienced a noticeable decline on the offensive side in 2026.

In 2025, Philadelphia posted a .759 team OPS while averaging 4.80 runs per game, with both marks ranking inside the top 10 in Major League Baseball. The Phillies were still one of the league’s more productive offensive teams, capable of consistently putting pressure on opponents with both power and run production.

That has changed considerably this season.

Philadelphia’s team OPS has fallen to .707, ranking just 22nd in MLB, while its scoring average has dropped to 4.40 runs per game, ranking 19th.

Whether measured by overall offensive production or actual runs scored, the Phillies have taken a significant step backward compared with a year ago.

As a result, this is no longer quite the same offense that regularly overwhelmed opponents with extra-base power and big scoring innings in recent seasons. The decline in offensive production will be one of the biggest areas to watch as Philadelphia enters the postseason.

The pitching staff, however, tells a somewhat different story.

The Phillies finished with a 4.04 team ERA, ranking 11th in the Majors and placing them comfortably around the upper-middle portion of the league.

But when the staff is separated into starters and relievers, a much clearer contrast emerges.

Philadelphia’s starting rotation posted a 3.80 ERA, seventh-best in MLB, and remains one of the team’s biggest strengths. The bullpen, on the other hand, finished with a 4.43 ERA, ranking 21st.

In that sense, the structure of this year’s Phillies pitching staff looks quite similar to what we saw in 2025: a very strong starting rotation paired with a bullpen that has been much less consistent.

Last season, Philadelphia’s starters recorded a 3.53 ERA, the second-best mark in Major League Baseball, while the bullpen finished with a 4.27 ERA and ranked only 20th.

In other words, the combination of elite-to-very-good starting pitching and a comparatively vulnerable relief corps has now become a recurring characteristic of this Phillies team.

That dynamic could be especially important in a best-of-three Wild Card Series, where every inning carries added weight. If Philadelphia’s starters can pitch deep into games, the Phillies may be able to minimize their bullpen exposure. But if the Braves can force an early trip to the bullpen, the middle and late innings could become one of the most important battlegrounds of the entire series.

PHI Offense

The two most important hitters in Philadelphia’s lineup remain Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper.

Schwarber finished the regular season with 45 home runs and an .857 OPS, while Harper hit 29 homers with an .865 OPS. They finished as the Phillies’ two most productive hitters by OPS and remain the biggest power threats in the lineup.

Both hitters combine excellent plate discipline with the ability to change a game with one swing.

With Philadelphia’s overall offensive production declining significantly this season, the performances of Schwarber and Harper could become even more important in October. If the Phillies are going to make a deep postseason run, they will likely need both stars to consistently reach base and produce extra-base damage.

Beyond those two, Brandon Marsh, Bryson Stott, Trea Turner, Alec Bohm and Justin Crawford have all been regular members of Philadelphia’s lineup for most of the season.

However, the offensive production from that group has been much less impressive than what the Phillies have received from Harper and Schwarber.

Using wRC+ — Weighted Runs Created Plus, an offensive metric adjusted so that 100 represents league-average production — most of Philadelphia’s other regular hitters have finished below league average.

Trea Turner, for example, finished with a wRC+ around 82, while Justin Crawford was also around the low-80s. Bryson Stott has been one of the better performers among the rest of Philadelphia’s regular lineup, but his overall production has still remained around or slightly below league-average territory. 

That creates one of the biggest questions surrounding the Phillies’ offense entering the postseason.

Philadelphia clearly has elite offensive threats at the top of the lineup, but the challenge will be whether the rest of the order can consistently connect those opportunities together.

If the supporting hitters struggle to reach base, advance runners or extend rallies, the Phillies could have difficulty generating consistent offense even when Schwarber and Harper remain dangerous.

Another major storyline entering the Wild Card Series involves Luis Arraez.

Philadelphia acquired Arraez during the season, but he suffered a sprained left ankle on September 24 against the Milwaukee Brewers while attempting to avoid a tag at first base.

X-rays were negative, but an MRI later revealed a significant ankle sprain. Arraez missed the Phillies’ final regular-season series against the Tampa Bay Rays, and his availability for the Wild Card Series remains uncertain. 

Philadelphia did not place Arraez on the injured list, which keeps open the possibility that he could be included on the Wild Card roster. If he is not healthy enough to handle a full game defensively, the Phillies could potentially use him in a more limited role, such as a pinch hitter. 

His health matters for more than just his bat.

Since Arraez joined the Phillies, his ability to play second base — as well as first base when needed — has given Philadelphia considerably more flexibility with its defensive alignment.

His presence allowed Bryson Stott to move to third base, Alec Bohm to shift to first, and Bryce Harper to return to right field.

If Arraez is unable to start, the Phillies may have to reshuffle those positions again. Stott could return to second, Bohm could move back to third, while Harper could again become an option at first base.

As a result, Arraez’s ankle injury could affect not only his own hitting and baserunning, but also Philadelphia’s starting lineup, defensive alignment and bench strategy throughout the Wild Card Series.

His status will therefore be one of the most important roster questions for the Phillies heading into Game 1.

PHI Starting Rotation

One of the Phillies’ biggest strengths this season has been the quality at the top of their starting rotation.

Philadelphia has three starters who won at least 14 games. Cristopher Sánchez finished 18–7 with a 2.91 ERA and 231 strikeouts. Jesús Luzardo went 14–5 with a 2.86 ERA and 221 strikeouts, while Zack Wheeler finished 14–5 with a 3.00 ERA and 193 strikeouts.

Sánchez also logged 207 innings, further demonstrating the durability that has made him one of the Phillies’ most valuable pitchers. 

On paper, Sánchez, Luzardo and Wheeler give Philadelphia a potentially dominant top three. All three can miss bats, work deep into games and take control of a matchup.

The problem entering the Wild Card Series, however, is not the quality of Philadelphia’s pitchers.

It is whether the Phillies can actually deploy them in the ideal order.

Because Philadelphia did not clinch its postseason berth until Game 162, Wheeler had to start the regular-season finale against Tampa Bay. He delivered six innings of one-run baseball in a 7–3 victory that secured the Phillies’ final NL Wild Card spot. 

That makes a normal-rest start in Game 1 impossible.

Even if the series reaches a decisive Game 3 on Thursday, Wheeler would still be pitching on only three days’ rest. MLB’s current postseason preview suggests that he could instead be used out of the bullpen during the series, although a short-rest Game 3 appearance remains another possibility. 

Luzardo presents another important question.

He spent the second half of September on the 15-day injured list because of inflammation in his left shoulder. His postseason availability had been uncertain, but he was activated for the final game of the regular season and threw a four-pitch scoreless eighth inning against Tampa Bay.

That was obviously an encouraging sign, but being healthy enough to pitch one inning is very different from being prepared to handle a normal five-, six- or seven-inning starting workload.

The Phillies have not committed to a specific postseason role for Luzardo, and both starting and relieving remain possibilities. His workload, pitch count and recovery from the shoulder inflammation will therefore be major factors to monitor.

In other words, Philadelphia may have Sánchez, Luzardo and Wheeler on the roster, but the chances of using all three as traditional, fully rested starters in this best-of-three series have been significantly reduced.

That makes the rest of the rotation much more important.

Aaron Nola finished 7–12 with a 4.67 ERA and 177 strikeouts. Those numbers are clearly not as strong as Philadelphia’s top three, but Nola pitched much better during the second half, posting a 3.33 ERA after the All-Star break. He also brings extensive postseason experience from the Phillies’ recent October runs. 

Nola himself had an unusual finish to the regular season. With Philadelphia fighting for its postseason life, he pitched on just two days’ rest in Saturday’s game against Tampa Bay, working only one inning. That adds another rest-and-workload consideration for the Phillies entering the Wild Card round. 

The other option is young right-hander Andrew Painter.

Painter finished 3–10 with a 5.40 ERA and 115 strikeouts over 126 2/3 innings, making 23 starts in 25 appearances. His overall results have been inconsistent, but his raw stuff remains extremely impressive. In August, he delivered a career-best seven-inning performance and was still reaching nearly 100 mph on his 100th pitch. 

That makes Philadelphia’s pitching situation one of the most intriguing parts of this Wild Card Series.

The Phillies have the talent of an elite postseason rotation, but the timing is far from ideal. Sánchez appears to be the most straightforward frontline option, Luzardo’s workload remains uncertain, and Wheeler’s Game 162 start complicates how he can be used against Atlanta.

As a result, Nola’s postseason experience and Painter’s high-end stuff could become far more important than Philadelphia originally expected.

For the Phillies, the biggest question may not be whether they have enough quality starting pitching. It may be whether they can piece together the right combination of starters and multi-inning arms over three games while dealing with different levels of rest and health.

PHI Bullpen

Compared with Philadelphia’s strong starting rotation, the bullpen has been one of the Phillies’ bigger concerns entering the postseason.

The most reliable piece is clearly closer Jhoan Duran.

Duran finished the regular season with 33 saves against only two blown saves, posting a 1.82 ERA with 84 strikeouts. He has been by far Philadelphia’s most dependable late-inning reliever and gives the Phillies an elite option whenever they can carry a lead into the ninth inning.

The bigger question is how Philadelphia gets the ball to Duran.

Among the Phillies’ most frequently used relievers, José Alvarado appeared in 68 games and finished with a 5.86 ERA and 70 strikeouts, while Orion Kerkering appeared 62 times with a 4.97 ERA and 63 strikeouts.

Both pitchers have the ability to miss bats and generate strikeouts, but their overall run prevention and command have been much less consistent.

That creates a clear risk-reward dynamic. Philadelphia has several relievers with impressive stuff, but when their command disappears, walks and additional baserunners can quickly turn a manageable inning into a high-pressure situation.

Kerkering is an especially interesting case entering October.

After struggling badly during the second half, he was optioned to Triple-A Lehigh Valley on September 20. Despite being one of Philadelphia’s most frequently used relievers over the course of the season, his role heading into the Wild Card Series is now far less certain.

Whether he makes the Wild Card roster — and, if he does, how much the Phillies trust him in high-leverage situations — will be worth watching.

Like Atlanta, Philadelphia also has the benefit of several left-handed options in the bullpen.

Brooks Raley, Tim Mayza, Tanner Banks and Alvarado give the Phillies multiple possibilities when they want to create left-on-left matchups later in games. That could be particularly useful against dangerous Braves left-handed hitters such as Matt Olson and Michael Harris II.

Philadelphia also has several right-handed options, including Alex McFarlane, Chase Shugart and Jonathan Bowlan.

Bowlan, in particular, emerged as an important setup option in front of Duran during the season. He suffered a mild right groin strain in mid-September, but the Phillies intentionally avoided placing him on the injured list in hopes that he could remain available for the postseason. His health will therefore be another factor to monitor before Game 1. 

Overall, the Phillies’ bullpen is not short on talent.

They have plenty of power arms, multiple strikeout threats and a useful mix of left- and right-handed options. The concern is consistency.

Outside of Duran, Philadelphia does not have the same level of certainty from inning to inning.

That means one of the biggest challenges for the Phillies’ coaching staff in this best-of-three Wild Card Series may not simply be finding pitchers who can get outs — it will be choosing the right pitcher at exactly the right moment.

Matchups, handedness, traffic on the bases, the score and each reliever’s command on a given day could all influence those decisions.

And because Philadelphia’s starting rotation is one of its biggest strengths, getting length from its starters could become especially important. The deeper the Phillies’ starters can work, the shorter the bridge becomes between the rotation and Duran — and the less exposure Philadelphia will have to the most unpredictable portion of its pitching staff.

⚾️ Braves vs. Phillies — 2026 Head-to-Head Record ⚾️

The Braves and Phillies met 13 times during the 2026 regular season, with Atlanta winning nine of those games and Philadelphia taking four.

On the surface, that 9–4 record gives the Braves a clear advantage in the season series.

However, the matchup looked much more competitive down the stretch.

The two NL East rivals played seven times in September, with Atlanta holding only a narrow 4–3 edge. In other words, Philadelphia’s recent results against the Braves suggest that the gap between the two teams may not be as large as the full-season head-to-head record would indicate.

That is especially worth keeping in mind once the postseason begins.

Recent history has already shown that regular-season records and home-field advantage do not necessarily determine the outcome of a short series. In both the 2022 and 2023 NLDS, Atlanta entered the matchup with the better regular-season record and home-field advantage, yet Philadelphia eliminated the Braves in four games both times.

So while Atlanta’s 9–4 regular-season record against Philadelphia is certainly meaningful, the September results — a much closer 4–3 split — suggest that this Wild Card Series may be more evenly contested than the full-season numbers initially suggest.

And in a best-of-three format, factors such as starting-pitcher form, bullpen decisions, timely power and execution in high-leverage situations may ultimately matter more than the regular-season head-to-head record.

⚾️ Conclusion ⚾️

Overall, the Braves enter this series after a very strong regular season. Their pitching staff, bullpen depth and overall roster balance give them several clear strengths on paper, while their strong head-to-head record against Philadelphia provides another reason for confidence entering the matchup.

At the same time, recent postseason history has shown that the Phillies are more than capable of beating Atlanta without home-field advantage — even when the Braves finish the regular season with the better overall record.

Philadelphia did exactly that in both the 2022 and 2023 NLDS, eliminating Atlanta in four games each time.

The Phillies also had to fight all the way through Game 162 to secure their Wild Card spot, surviving a postseason race with the Arizona Diamondbacks that went down to the final day of the regular season.

Because of that, Philadelphia enters October with some momentum of its own after battling its way into the postseason.

And that is part of what makes postseason baseball so fascinating.

Regular-season records, statistical advantages and head-to-head results all provide important context, but in a best-of-three series, one dominant starting-pitching performance, one home run, one bullpen decision — or even a single defensive or baserunning play — can completely change the direction of the matchup.

So whether you are rooting for the Phillies or the Braves, hopefully everyone can simply enjoy what should be a fascinating National League Wild Card Series filled with history, star power and the unpredictability that makes October baseball so special.

資料來源 /

• MLB official website 
• Google weather report
• Baseball Reference
• Fangraphs