Braves haven’t named a starter for Game 3, and the Phillies don’t care
The Braves are expected to start Bryce Elder or AJ Smith-Shawver against Aaron Nola. Using a reliever as an opener is also an option.
Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola talks with reporters on Tuesday at Citizens Bank Park ahead of his Game 3 start on Wednesday.Read moreJose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer
The Braves declined Tuesday to name their starting pitcher for when the National League Division Series shifts Wednesday to Citizens Bank Park. So does that complicate anything for the Phillies?
“Not at all,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. “I’m assuming it’s going to be a right-hander.”
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The Braves are expected to start either Bryce Elder or AJ Smith-Shawver against Aaron Nola. Elder was an All-Star this season but had a 5.26 ERA in his final 10 starts and failed to complete four innings against the Phillies in September. The 20-year-old Smith-Shawver reached the majors in June, made five starts as a rookie, and spent most of the season in triple A.
Braves manager Brian Snitker said the team could also use a reliever as an “opener.”
“There’s a lot of different scenarios that we’re looking at,” Snitker said.
Nola faced the Braves three times this season, allowing seven earned runs over 18 innings. He allowed two runs last month in six innings as the Phillies beat the Braves in 10 innings. Last October, Nola did not allow an earned run against Atlanta over six innings as the Phillies won Game 3 of the NLDS. The Phillies are hoping for history to repeat itself.
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“I know he was really good the last time he pitched against us. He’s one of the top pitchers in baseball,” Snitker said. “Just the assortment that he has, how he can extend games. We’ve had a few guys that have done OK off him. He’s done OK off us, too.
“He’s a tough ride because he’s got so many weapons, and he throws strikes. And he can command his fastball. So you just gotta get in there and fight like we did [Monday] night. I mean, you know what, you got 27 outs to make something happen.”
Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola walks around the field before Game 2 of the National League Division Series baseball game before the Phillies play the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park in Atlanta. Nola will start game 3 in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Phillies manager Rob Thomson before Game 2 of the National League Division Series baseball game between the Phillies and Atlanta Braves at Truist Park in Atlanta.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Phillies left fielder Brandon Marsh leaps into the wall as a fan catches the baseball during batting practice before Game 2 of the National League Division Series baseball game between the Phillies and Atlanta Braves at Truist Park in Atlanta.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner doubles during the first inning in Game 2 of a National League Division Series baseball game against the Atlanta BravesRead moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner (left) celebrates with J.T. Realmuto (right) after he scores during the first inning.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler pitches during the first inning.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Phillies Johan Rojas (left) steals second base as Atlanta Braves second baseman Ozzie Albies (right) juggles the ball during the second inning.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner misplays a ball off the bat of Atlanta Braves Matt Olson during the second inning. Turner was charged with a fielding error.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper hits a single during the third inning.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto hits a two-run homer during the third inning.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto celebrates his two-run homer during the third inning.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Phillies J.T. Realmuto (left) celebrates his two-run homer with Bryce Harper (right) as Atlanta Braves catcher Travis d'Arnaud looks on during the third inning.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Phillies Nick Castellanos (left) steals second base as Atlanta Braves shortstop Orlando Arcia (right) leaps for the high throw during the fifth inning.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Phillies Nick Castellanos (left) celebrates with Cristian Pache (right) after he scores on a sacrifice fly by Bryson Stott during the fifth inning.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler hands the ball to Phillies manager Rob Thomson (right) as he exits the game in the seventh inning.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Jose Alvarado Atlanta reacts after striking out Atlanta Braves Orlando Arcia to end the seventh inning.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Atlanta Braves center fielder Michael Harris II catches a ball hit by Philadelphia Phillies Nick Castellanos in the ninth inning in Game 2. Phillies lose 5-4.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson yells after Phillies Bryce Harper got doubled-up at first base to end game 2 of a National League Division Series baseball game. Phillies lose 5-4.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
A ‘heartbreaking’ loss
Nola said Tuesday’s off-day provided a chance for the Phillies to move past Monday night’s crushing loss in Atlanta. The loss — which included a blown save and a game-ending double play started by the center fielder — was “heartbreaking,” Nola said.
“Definitely a heartbreaking one,” Nola said. “But we have another chance, right? We’re one and one. It’s good to split over there, come back home and hopefully get one [Wednesday]... It’s a new day. I mean, we have to forget about that, have to have a short memory about that. Try to take the positives away from those two games over in Atlanta. And it’s just good to be back home with our home crowd. We have three games left to do something.”
Thomson declined to say if Ranger Suárez will start Game 4 on Thursday at Citizens Bank Park. He will make that decision after Game 3. ... According to Fox Sports, Braves shortstop Orlando Arcia was mocking Bryce Harper in the clubhouse after Harper ended the game by being doubled up at first base. “Really?” Thomson said. “I don’t think anybody needs any motivation right now. But if that adds to our motivation, that’s great.”
