4 big takeaways after Phillies even thrilling NL Wild Card Series

ATLANTA -- The Phillies and Braves are well on their way to putting together an instant classic in this year’s National League Wild Card Series.

After Atlanta’s wild back-and-forth win in Game 1 and Philadelphia’s come-from-behind 4-3 victory in Game 2 on Wednesday, it all comes down to Game 3 on Thursday at Truist Park.

Here are the four things that matter most as it stands right now:

1. Who needs a bullpen?
The Phillies’ lack of reliable bullpen options was on full display in Game 1 when they turned to Jhoan Duran for a potential three-inning save. Not only did it not work, but Duran’s 27-pitch outing left him unavailable for Game 2.

So, with their season on the line, the Phillies relied on starters Cristopher Sánchez and Andrew Painter to record 29 of their 30 outs in Game 2. Rookie reliever Alex McFarlane, the lone reliever used ahead of Duran in Game 1, cleaned up a jam in the seventh for the other out.

With Duran’s status unclear for Game 3 -- “We’ll see where he's at tomorrow,” interim manager Don Mattingly said -- the Phillies may take a similar approach in the winner-take-all contest.

Instead of Sánchez and Painter, it will be veteran righties Aaron Nola and Zack Wheeler, who will be available on short rest after pitching Sunday’s season finale. Mattingly wasn’t ready to commit to who would start the game, but it’s almost certain both will pitch.

Jesús Luzardo also said he’s available, if needed. Even Painter said he’s ready to go.

“Yeah, everything on the line,” Painter said. “Luzardo would make fun of me if I didn't. I'm 23. He says I should be good every day.”

2. Atlanta needs a bullpen
While the Phillies have known all along that they’ll need to rely heavily on their starters this postseason, the Braves’ biggest strength all year has been their bullpen. The unit posted a 3.44 ERA (fourth best in MLB) during the regular season while leading the National League with a 1.19 WHIP.

But things haven’t gone to plan through the first two games.

Didier Fuentes, who had a 2.05 ERA in 70 1/3 innings as a reliever this season, gave up a go-ahead triple to J.T. Realmuto in Game 1 and the game-winning homer to Alec Bohm in Game 2.

Then, there’s Dylan Lee. As Atlanta’s top left-handed reliever, it was no secret he’d be asked to take down some big spots this series against the likes of the Phillies’ left-handed-hitting superstars in Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper.

Lee retired Schwarber, Harper and Bohm in order in Game 1, but he was tagged for back-to-back homers by Schwarber and Harper on Wednesday.

“Lee is our high-leverage lefty,” Braves manager Walt Weiss said after Game 2. “Put down the same part of the order [in Game 1] pretty easily. … That's his inning every time.”

If that includes another showdown on Thursday, Lee’s ability to bounce back could determine the series.

3. The redemption game
Speaking of bouncing back, that was the story in Game 2.

Harper’s shocking misplay in the bottom of the seventh inning could have easily become the lasting image of another Phillies season ending much sooner than they had hoped. Instead, he came through with a game-tying homer in the very next inning.

Overshadowed by Harper’s miscue was the fact that Bohm had made a questionable play of his own just moments earlier. With a runner on first and nobody out, Bohm unsuccessfully tried to throw out the lead runner on a sacrifice bunt to create the jam in the first place.

Bohm, of course, more than made up for it with his homer a few innings later.

And then there’s Painter, who continued his improbable months-long bounceback following a disastrous start to the season. Demoted to Triple-A on June 17 with a 7.06 ERA, Painter returned six weeks later and pitched well enough down the stretch to not only make the postseason roster, but be called upon to take down the biggest outs of the Phillies’ season (so far).

He responded with three scoreless innings of relief to become the youngest pitcher in Phillies history to win a postseason game.

4. Who will be the Game 3 hero?
Sure, Schwarber and Harper made their mark with back-to-back homers in the eighth inning of Game 2, but each of the decisive hits in this series has come from an unexpected source.

Austin Riley, who struggled all season, hit the winning homer in Game 1. Bohm, whose entire tenure in Philadelphia has been up and down, came through in Game 2.

So, who will it be on Thursday?

The stage is set for Schwarber or Harper to seal an NLDS rematch against the Dodgers, or for Ronald Acuña Jr. or Matt Olson to get Atlanta back to the NLDS for the first time since 2023.

Or maybe it’ll be yet another unsung hero.