Los Angeles (United States) (AFP) – The Atlanta Braves defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 6-2 on Thursday to win their National League wild card series 2-1 and advance to the second round of the Major League playoffs, where they will face the current champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers, starting Saturday.
First modification: 02/10/2026 - 05:38
Atlanta sealed qualification driven by home runs by Michael Harris, Ozzie Albies and Matt Olson in the decisive game played at Truist Park.
The victory had a special flavor for the Braves, eliminated by Philadelphia in the 2022 and 2023 postseasons.
"This is the best moment of my life right now," Albies said after the match. "The last few playoff games they sent us home, so it feels great to do the same thing to them here at home. It's everything."
After suffering a dramatic extra-innings loss on Wednesday, Atlanta responded early in Game 3 and quickly punished Phillies starter Aaron Nola.
Nola walked Ronald Acuña Jr. and Matt Olson in the first inning before Harris hit a three-run homer that made the score 3-0.
Philadelphia manager Don Mattingly retired Nola in the second inning, but the Braves maintained control of the game.
The lead increased in the fourth inning when Albies hit a two-run homer off Zack Wheeler to extend the lead to 5-0.
The Phillies reacted timidly in the sixth inning thanks to a ground ball by Alec Bohm that allowed Kyle Schwarber to score, but Atlanta responded in the seventh with a towering solo home run by Olson.
Philadelphia added one more run in the eighth on Trea Turner's sacrifice fly that drove in Derek Hill, although it never seriously threatened the home team's lead.
The Braves then turned to Chris Sale to close the game and the veteran left-hander accomplished the mission by getting the last four outs, ensuring Atlanta's place in the division series against the Dodgers.
© 2026 AFP
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