ATLANTA -- Aaron Nola was given the start in attempt to get the Phillies back to Los Angeles for a rematch with the Dodgers in the National League Division Series.
Nola started the Phillies' 6-2 loss to the Braves in Game 3 of the NL Wild Card Series Thursday night at Truist Park. The veteran righty struggled with command early, allowing two one-out walks in the first inning before surrendering a three-run homer to Michael Harris II.
Nola settled down a bit in the second, quickly notching the first two outs. But after a single from Dominic Smith, Nola was lifted for reliever Tim Mayza. He threw 38 pitches in 1 2/3 innings, 19 of which were strikes.
The Phillies entered Thursday night expecting almost everybody else on their pitching staff to be available to help because it was win or go home.
Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly, pitching coach Caleb Cotham and other team officials gathered more than an hour after Wednesday’s dramatic, come-from-behind 4-3 victory over the Braves in 10 innings in Game 2 to talk about their Game 3 pitching plans. Mattingly indicated on Monday that Nola was working toward starting Game 3.
Ultimately, Nola was the most rested starter, so that’s why they chose him.
“Obviously it's another elimination game,” Mattingly said. “I think three out of the last four have been elimination games, so I'm assuming it'll be pretty much all hands on deck.”
Zack Wheeler started Sunday’s regular-season finale, the Phillies’ first of three elimination games this week. Wheeler, who threw 97 pitches Sunday, threw 68 over four frames after entering in the third inning of Thursday night's game.
The thought of Wheeler not pitching in a postseason series seemed impossible.
Left-hander Jesús Luzardo, who started Game 1 on Tuesday, said he would be available in the bullpen. He discreetly moved to the Phillies’ bullpen late in Game 2, just in case his team needed him. Rookie right-hander Andrew Painter tossed three scoreless innings of relief to win Game 2. He also said he would be available.
“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.”
It was initially unclear if closer Jhoan Duran would be available. He threw 27 pitches over two innings in Tuesday’s Game 1 loss. He was not available in Game 2, Mattingly said.
After Duran played catch on Wednesday afternoon, he gestured with his hand that he felt iffy, but he said he hoped to feel better after receiving pregame treatment.
He didn’t improve enough to pitch Wednesday, but he pitched in the eighth inning Thursday night, striking out two.
Nola last pitched on short rest on Saturday against Tampa Bay, allowing four hits and three runs in one inning in a 12-1 loss. But after posting a 6.04 ERA in 17 starts through June 29, he had a 3.12 ERA in his final 15 starts before Sunday.
Nola had a 4.50 ERA in three starts against Atlanta during the regular season.