ATLANTA – With little time to fully process a back-and-forth thriller in Game 1, the Braves and Phillies have no choice but to quickly shift their focus to Game 2.
That will take place on Wednesday afternoon at Truist Park, where Atlanta hopes to punch its ticket to the National League Division Series while Philadelphia simply hopes to keep its season alive.
"We're looking forward to [Game 2],” Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber said after his club’s 5-3 loss in Game 1. “I don't think you're going to see anyone down anymore. I think everyone's focus is really turned towards tomorrow.”
Here’s everything you need to know about the Game 2 showdown:
When is the game and how can I watch it
Game 2 is scheduled for 2 p.m. ET on Wednesday at Truist Park. The game will be broadcast on NBC and Peacock.
The Wild Card Series will be available in Spanish on Universo, while Univision Radio will provide Spanish language audio coverage. ESPN Radio will provide live national coverage of all 2026 MLB Postseason games, beginning with the Wild Card Series.
Who are the starting pitchers?
Phillies: Cristopher Sánchez, LHP
Key stat: 122 strikeouts with changeup (51 more than any other pitcher's changeup)
Sánchez was once again one of the best pitchers in baseball this season. The Phillies’ co-ace ranked second in the NL in strikeouts (231), second in innings pitched (207) and sixth in ERA (2.91). He was particularly dominant at home, where he went 12-3 with a 2.23 ERA in 19 starts, but he’ll be taking the mound at Truist Park after going 6-4 with a 3.87 ERA in 14 road outings. Sánchez is 0-5 in nine career outings (eight starts) against the Braves, but he has a respectable 3.26 ERA in those outings, including 2.19 in four starts over the past two seasons.
Braves: Tyler Mahle, RHP
Key stat: 1.99 ERA in nine starts for the Braves
Tarik Skubal created all of the headlines, but Mahle was the most effective starting pitcher acquired before this year’s Trade Deadline. The right-hander owned a 5.13 ERA in the 18 starts he made for the Giants before he was acquired. He actually posted a 1.28 ERA in the eight starts he made for Atlanta before allowing five earned runs over five innings in his final regular season start against the Reds. He allowed one earned run while totaling 13 innings in two starts against Philadelphia in September.
What might the starting lineups look like?
Phillies: With the Braves starting a right-hander in Game 2, expect Brandon Marsh and Justin Crawford to replace Bryan De La Cruz and Derek Hill, respectively, in the starting lineup. The rest will likely look very similar to Game 1.
1. Trea Turner, SS
2. Kyle Schwarber, DH
3. Bryce Harper, RF
4. Alec Bohm, 1B
5. Bryson Stott, 2B
6. Edmundo Sosa, 3B
7. Brandon Marsh, LF
8. J.T. Realmuto, C
9. Justin Crawford, CF
Braves: Left-handed hitters have a .392 OPS against Sánchez this year, so Brewer Hicklen may get the start in left field. Mike Yastrzemski had a big hit against left-hander Jesús Luzardo in Game 1. But Hicklen may handle the left-field duties until Sánchez exits. Braves manager Walt Weiss said Sean Murphy will be behind the plate for Game 2.
1. Drake Baldwin, DH
2. Ronald Acuña Jr., RF
3. Matt Olson, 1B
4. Michael Harris II, CF
5. Mauricio Dubón, SS
6. Ozzie Albies, 2B
7. Brewer Hicklen, LF
8. Austin Riley, 3B
9. Sean Murphy, C
How will the bullpens line up after the starter?
Phillies: This continues to be the biggest question facing Philadelphia after its unconventional approach in Game 1 did not work out. Rookie right-hander Alex McFarlane was the first guy out of the ‘pen for the sixth inning before interim manager Don Mattingly turned to closer Jhoan Duran to potentially handle the final three innings. If his pitch count had gotten too high and the Phillies had needed someone else to shut the door in the ninth, it likely would have been some combination of righty Jonathan Bowlan -- who hasn’t pitched since Sept. 17 due to a right groin injury -- and left-hander José Alvarado. Starter Andrew Painter could be another option in Game 2, while Zack Wheeler possibly becomes an option in a potential Game 3.
Braves: Didier Fuentes, Dylan Lee and Raisel Iglesias were the only three relievers used in Game 1. Each should be available for any high-leverage situation in Game 2. Robert Suarez could also be used to help preserve a lead or keep the game close during the later innings.
Any injuries of note?
Phillies: Luis Arraez is not on the roster for this series after badly spraining his left ankle on Thursday. Otto Kemp took his place on the roster. Edmundo Sosa tweaked his groin in Sunday’s season finale and appeared to be hampered a bit on his double in Game 1, but he remains available.
Braves: OF Lane Thomas, who suffered an intercostal muscle strain on Sept. 11, could be available during the NLDS. Starting pitchers Bryce Elder (arthroscopic knee surgery), Reynaldo López (right shoulder inflammation) and Martín Pérez (lower back discomfort) may also be available in future rounds.
Who is hot and who is not?
Phillies: The entire Phillies’ offense was cold entering the postseason. In September, they hit just .226 (28th in MLB) with a .660 OPS (29th). However, Realmuto -- who was perhaps struggling more than anyone down the stretch -- came through with a clutch two-run triple in Game 1.
Braves: Dubón has a team-leading .993 OPS since Sept. 14. Harris (.870) and Baldwin (.996) are the only other players who have produced an OPS above .790 during this stretch. Riley struggled most of the season, but his home run in Game 1 was his third home run within his past seven games. Albies also had a frustrating September, but he contributed a big triple in Game 1.
Anything else fans might want to know?
• The Phillies have won each of their past three playoff series against the Braves: 1993 NL Championship Series, 2022 NLDS and 2023 NLDS. The Phillies won 10 of the 14 games during those series.
• Olson, Albies, Acuña and Riley are a combined 28-for-72 (.389) against Sánchez.
• Teams that win Game 1 in a best-of-three Wild Card Series have gone on to win the series 21 of 24 times (88%) -- and each of the previous three teams to rally from a Game 1 loss did so as the home team. This series marked the 10th time that the home team won Game 1, and that club went on to win each of the previous nine series.