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Phillies set pitching plan for Game 3; Braves make head-scratching decision; live updates

The winner of Game 3 will face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS.

The Phillies will go with a one-two punch of Aaron Nola (left) and Zack Wheeler on the mound in Game 3 against the Braves.
The Phillies will go with a one-two punch of Aaron Nola (left) and Zack Wheeler on the mound in Game 3 against the Braves. Read more
Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
What you should know

  1. The Phillies (1-1) face the Atlanta Braves (1-1) in Game 3 of their NL wild-card series Thursday (8 p.m., NBC).

  2. The winner moves on to the NL divisional series to face the Los Angeles Dodgers, and the Phillies have no excuse to finish their comeback.

  3. Aaron Nola will take the mound for the Phillies, with Zack Wheeler expected to follow. The Braves will turn to reliever Ray Kerr.

  4. "A pick-me-up game for me": Bryce Harper reflects on his roller coaster performance in Game 2.

  5. Here's what our columnists thought of the Phillies' gutsy Game 2 victory: David Murphy | Marcus Hayes

Source: Aaron Nola will start decisive Game 3

ATLANTA — Facing their third elimination game in five days, the Phillies will hand the ball to their longest-tenured player.

Aaron Nola will start Thursday night in Game 3 of the best-of-three wild-card series, according to a major league source. The Phillies had not yet announced a starter.

Nola will be on full rest four days after starting on only two days’ rest and lasting only one inning in a desperate gambit to clinch a playoff spot last Saturday night. But the Phillies will take an “all hands on deck” approach to their pitching plan, interim manager Don Mattingly said Wednesday.

Braves will start lefty Ray Kerr

The Atlanta Braves are turning to lefty Ray Kerr as their Game 3 starter.

Kerr, a reliever who returned in August from Tommy John surgery, as an opener likely followed by Grant Holmes as a bulk reliever.

And we thought Don Mattingly’s options were limited this postseason.

Braves made a head-scratching decision in Game 2

Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly was picked apart after Game 1, so how about the Braves not using Robert Suarez in Game 2?

Suarez returned from the injured list in September and pitched twice in the season’s final week before being added to the postseason roster. He was lights out as Atlanta’s setup man before injuring his elbow in June and his velocity last week was about where it was preinjury.

So how does Suarez — who the Braves signed before the season to a three-year contract worth $45 million — not get used in Game 2?

Game 3 winner will face the Dodgers in the NLDS

The winner of Game 3 between the Phillies and Atlanta Braves will punch a ticket to the National League divisional series to face the No. 2 seed Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Phillies went 2-4 against the defending World Series champs this season, though the last time the two teams faced off was way back in July. It would also be a replay of last year's NLDS, which the Dodgers handily won 3-1.

Here is the NLDS schedule:

  1. Game 1: Braves/Phillies at Dodgers, Saturday, Oct. 3, 4 p.m. (FS1)

  2. Game 2: Braves/Phillies at Dodgers, Sunday, Oct. 4, 8 p.m. (FS1)

  3. Game 3: Dodgers at Braves/Phillies, Tuesday, Oct. 6, TBD

  4. Game 4*: Dodgers at Braves/Phillies, Wednesday, Oct. 7, TBD

  5. Game 5*: Braves/Phillies at Dodgers, Friday, Oct. 9, TBD

Phillies-Braves Game 3: Start time, how to watch and stream

The Phillies face the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of their National League wild-card series Thursday night. The winner moves on to the National League divisional series, the loser's season is over, and everyone will have to stay up late.

With the three other wild-card series already decided, first pitch of Game 3 between the Phillies and Braves Thursday night is scheduled for 8:15 p.m.

NBC will once again broadcast the game, with John Kruk in the booth alongside play-by-play announcer Matt Vasgersian and fellow analyst C.J. Nitkowski. Joey Votto is back as the pitching analyst, while Ashley ShahAhmadi will report from Truist Park.