The Philadelphia Phillies made a statement with a 9-1 victory in game three of the National League Division Series at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on Friday, which could spell the end for the Atlanta Braves’ 2022 season on Saturday. In the NLDS, the Phillies are up 2-1 against the Braves.
The Atlanta Braves will have to work hard to defend their title as World Series winners in 2022.
The Philadelphia Phillies defeated Atlanta 9-1 in game three of the National League Division Series, putting the Braves on the verge of elimination. With a victory at home on Saturday, the Phillies can secure their first trip to the National League Championship Series since 2010 and a 2-1 lead in the NLDS.
In order to force a game five at Truist Park in Atlanta on Monday, the Braves will need to steal a game on the road on Saturday with veteran pitcher Charlie Morton in the circle.
The Phillies haven’t yet made their pitcher lineup for game four public. This week, the Braves faced off against the top three pitchers for the Phillies: Ranger Suarez, Zack Wheeler, and Aaron Nola.
In a final game on Saturday, Phillies manager Rob Thomson might hand the ball to Kyle Gibson or Noah Syndergaard. Suarez could pitch on three days’ rest or on a bullpen day if the manager so chose.
In his first start since suffering an oblique injury on September 18 during his team’s 5-2 victory over the Phillies, Braves youngster Spencer Strider was battered for five runs in 2.1 innings by the Phillies.
Strider handled the first two innings with ease, retiring the first six batters he faced.
But after that, Strider was not the same. In the third inning, Rhy Hoskins hit a three-run home run off of Strider, giving the Phillies a 4-0 advantage. Hoskins was struck by a fastball from Strider that he threw right down the middle at 93.8 mph, which is also the slowest fastball in Strider’s career.
Bryce Harper hit a two-run home run to give the Phillies a 6-0 lead as the offensive barrage continued.
The Braves had numerous opportunities to reduce the Phillies’ lead, but they were only able to score one run while leaving eight men on base.
In the eighth inning, Harper doubled home Matt Vierling for a 6-1 Phillies advantage. The score increased to 9-1 when the subsequent batter, Nick Castellanos, singled in Harper and J.T. Realmuto.
The Phillies triumphed at home on Friday for the first time since October 1, 2011. 99They will have the opportunity to qualify for their first National League Championship Series since 2010 on Saturday.
During their march to the 2021 World Series, the Braves never had to play an elimination game. It will be interesting to watch how they manage their first elimination game since losing to the Los Angeles Dodgers in game seven of the NLCS in 2020.
