LIVE on FS1: Will Braves or Phils grab 2-1 NLDS lead?
PHILADELPHIA -- For the first time in nearly three weeks, Philadelphia’s Citizens Bank Park is about to come alive.
For the first time in 11 years, it’s coming alive for postseason baseball.
The best-of-five National League Division Series between the Phillies and the Braves is knotted at 1-1 after they split two games in Atlanta, setting the stage for Philadelphia’s first game at home since Sept. 25, when it finished a four-game split with -- guess who? -- Atlanta. It will be the Phils' first postseason home game since Roy Halladay lost a duel to Chris Carpenter and the Cardinals in Game 5 of the 2011 NLDS.
“Electric, absolutely,” said Bryce Harper when asked what kind of crowd he expects. “I don’t expect anything less.”
Ditto for the Braves.
“I've been in Philly when it's crazy,” Atlanta manager Brian Snitker said. “When I was a third-base coach, every game we played there was nuts. It's going to be, I guess, the so-called hostile environment, obviously. But the last two nights, the last -- this whole year -- has been nuts here. It's been like playoff baseball pretty much the entire year here, and I don't think it's anything that they haven't been exposed to. And probably, they'll feed off it like they feed off our fans here in Atlanta.”
When is the game and how can I watch it?
Game 3 is at 4:30 p.m. ET today on FS1. All games are available in the U.S. on MLB.TV (authentication to a participating Pay TV provider is required). Live games are also available in select countries outside the U.S. For full details click here.
Who are the starting pitchers?
Braves: Atlanta announced Spencer Strider will get the start in Game 3, while veteran Charlie Morton will get the nod in Game 4. The heralded rookie has thrown off a mound just once since his left oblique muscle began bothering him during a Sept. 18 start against Philadelphia.
Phillies: Right-hander Aaron Nola (11-13, 3.25 ERA) will start the Phils’ first home postseason game since Halladay's aforementioned Game 5 start in the 2011 NLDS. Nola has pitched well recently, tossing 6 2/3 scoreless innings Saturday in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series against the Cardinals. He also tossed 6 2/3 perfect innings before he allowed a couple hits on Oct. 3 in Houston, when the Phillies clinched the third NL Wild Card spot. Nola went 3-2 with a 3.67 ERA in five starts this season against Atlanta. He is 11-3 with a 2.89 ERA in 16 starts against the Braves at Citizens Bank Park.
What are the starting lineups?
Braves: With the Phillies starting another right-hander, Matt Olson remained in the No. 3 hole and Michael Harris II was slotted sixth, a few spots higher than he has been against left-handers recently. Marcell Ozuna served as the designated hitter for the second straight game, and Vaughn Grissom earned his first postseason start in place of Orlando Arcia, who has been held hitless in five at-bats.
1. Ronald Acuña Jr., RF
2. Dansby Swanson, SS
3. Matt Olson, 1B
4. Austin Riley, 3B
5. Travis d’Arnaud, C
6. Michael Harris II, CF
7. Marcell Ozuna, DH
8. Vaughn Grissom, 2B
9. Eddie Rosario, LF
Phillies: Even with Kyle Schwarber and Rhys Hoskins struggling at the top, Rob Thomson made no changes to the lineup. Schwarber is 0-for-16 with two RBIs and eight strikeouts in the postseason. Hoskins is 1-for-18 with one double and six strikeouts.
1. Kyle Schwarber, LF
2. Rhys Hoskins, 1B
3. J.T. Realmuto, C
4. Bryce Harper, DH
5. Nick Castellanos, RF
6. Alec Bohm, 3B
7. Brandon Marsh, CF
8. Jean Segura, 2B
9. Bryson Stott, SS
How will the bullpens line up after the starter?
Braves: With Thursday's off-day, Atlanta should have everybody available in Game 3. Raisel Iglesias, A.J. Minter and Kenley Jansen combined to throw three scoreless innings as they worked for the first time in more than a week during Wednesday’s Game 2 victory. Look for Collin McHugh and Dylan Lee to serve as the bridge to the high-leverage guys. Lee will be used whenever Schwarber or Harper are due up.
Phillies: Right-hander Zach Eflin has been pitching the ninth inning recently, but it does not mean he will be the closer the rest of the postseason. Eflin allowed a three-run homer to Olson in the ninth in Game 1 before recording the final two outs to seal a 7-6 victory.
“He's an end-of-the-game option, not necessarily the ninth inning,” Thomson said. “If his pocket shows up in the ninth, I still have full confidence in him.”
If not Eflin, Thomson could turn to left-hander José Alvarado or right-hander Seranthony Domínguez.
Any injuries of note?
Braves: Ozzie Albies (fractured right pinkie) will likely not be available before the NLCS. Albies’ only potential contributions now would come as a pinch-runner. The Braves are hoping Strider (strained left oblique) will be available to make at least one start as an opener or potentially serve as a reliever.
Phillies: Philadelphia lost right-hander David Robertson for the NLDS after he strained his right calf jumping to celebrate Harper’s home run in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series in St. Louis. He had a PRP injection, although it is unclear if he could pitch in the NL Championship Series, if the Phillies make it.
Who is hot and who is not?
Braves: Olson has homered in six of his past nine games and he has gone 3-for-6 with a homer in the first two games of this series. ... Rest has been beneficial to Acuña throughout this year, and he certainly looked good while going 4-for-7 with a double in the NLDS. ... Swanson is 1-for-8 with five strikeouts.
Phillies: Nola is 3-1 with a 1.98 ERA in his past seven starts, including the postseason. He has struck out 51 and walked eight in 41 innings. … Harper had nothing to show for it in Game 2, but he barreled a couple of balls that died at the warning track. He has been hitting the ball well in the postseason, going 6-for-14 with three extra-base hits and a 1.286 OPS. … Schwarber is hitless in his past 33 playoff game plate appearances, which is tied for the fifth-longest postseason hitless streak since 1903.
Anything else fans might want to know?
The Phillies will sell out Games 3 and 4 of the NLDS, but the team said fans should continue to check Phillies.com as previously reserved tickets become available.