When do the Phillies-Braves play?: Wild Card round schedule, pitching matchups, playoff history
Phillies prepare for Braves wildcard series at Truist Park in Georgia
The Philadelphia Phillies prepare for a wildcard match-up against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park in Cobb County, Georgia.
PHILADELPHIA - The Philadelphia Phillies are back in the playoffs after nearly blowing their Wild Card lead in the last week of the season and clinching a postseason berth in Game 162. The Phillies will take on the Atlanta Braves in the Wild Card round of the playoffs, starting Tuesday.
Phillies-Braves Wild Card schedule
What we know:
The Phillies and Braves will begin their best-of-three Wild Card round series on Tuesday in Atlanta.
Each game will take place at Truist Park in Atlanta with first pitch slated for 2 p.m.
Phillies Wild Card roster
What we know:
The Phillies will be without Luis Arraez's high-contact bat for the Wild Card round after he suffered a knee injury on a tag play just before the end of the regular season. Otto Kemp will take his spot on the Wild Card roster.
Pitchers (12) – Left-handers – José Alvarado, Tanner Banks, Jesús Luzardo, Tim Mayza and Cristopher Sánchez. Right-handers – Jonathan Bowlan, Jhoan Duran, Alex McFarlane, Aaron Nola, Andrew Painter, Chase Shugart and Zack Wheeler.
Catchers (3) – Rafael Marchán, J.T. Realmuto and Garrett Stubbs.
Infielders (5) – Alec Bohm, Otto Kemp, Edmundo Sosa, Bryson Stott and Trea Turner.
Outfielders (5) – Justin Crawford, Bryan De La Cruz, Bryce Harper, Derek Hill and Brandon Marsh.
Designated hitter (1) – Kyle Schwarber
Wild Card pitching matchups
What we know:
Since Zach Wheeler needed to pitch in the final game of the season, the Phillies are still considering how to match up their staff for the short Wild Card series. Lefty Jesus Luzardo, who threw four pitches out of the bullpen in his return from the injured list on Sunday, will be an opener for the Phillies in Game 1, followed by rookie Andrew Painter.
Luzardo vs. Braves
In 11 career starts against the Atlanta Braves, Luzardo holds a 2.89 ERA with 79 strikeouts and 24 walks. Earlier this month, in his only start against the Braves this season, Luzardo tossed a complete-game, two-hit shutout on 109 pitches. This time around, Luzardo, pitching on short rest, will only be expected to give the Phillies an inning or two before handing it over to Painter and the bullpen.
Phillies Game 2 starting pitcher
While neither team has announced a starting pitcher for the second game of the season, it seems likely the Phillies will turn to lefty Cristopher Sanchez. The 2026 All-Star Game starter last pitched on Sept. 25, allowing 2 runs in 7 innings with 10 strikeouts against the Tampa Bay Rays.
In his career against the Braves, Sanchez holds a 3.26 ERA in 49.2 IP – 8 starts and 1 relief appearance – with 55 strikeouts and 12 walks. Two of his starts against the Braves came at Truist Park, where he gave up a combined 6 runs in 10 innings pitched.
Who will start Game 3?
If the Wild Card round reaches a crucial third game, both teams will likely pull out all the stops to keep their season alive. Zach Wheeler will likely be who the Phillies will give the ball to in a do-or-die game. By Thursday, Wheeler will have had four days rest, still short of his usual five days, but he would likely be available in some capacity.
Who are the Braves starting pitchers?
The Braves, who buttoned up their playoff spot on Sept. 18, will start veteran left-hander Chris Sale in Game 1. In 11 career starts against the Phillies, Sale has a 3.27 ERA 83 strikeouts and 14 walks. Sale, 37, last pitched against the Phillies in September, allowing 2 runs in 6 innings.
The Braves have not announced a Game 2 starter, but Grant Holmes or Tyler Mahle could be options. Holmes, 30, started over 29 games for the Braves and posted a 3.44 ERA. In his last start against the Phillies, the right-hander allowed 2 runs in 4 innings.
Mahle, who the Braves acquired from the San Francisco Giants mid-season, has a 1.99 ERA in 9 starts for Atlanta. Perhaps his best start as a Brave came against the Phillies two weeks ago when he allowed just one run over 7 innings.
Phillies-Braves: Head-to-head record
By the numbers:
The Phillies and Braves played 13 times in the 2026 season, with Atlanta winning nine times. In those match-ups, the Phillies scored 43 runs and allowed 66.
While the 2026 regular season numbers aren't pretty, recent playoff history between the two teams gives Philadelphia the edge. The Phillies eliminated the Braves as underdogs in the 2022 NLDS and did the same the following year.
The Phillies have an all-time 10-4 record in the postseason against the Atlanta Braves.
The Source: Information provided by the Philadelphia Phillies, Atlanta Braves, and Baseball-Reference.com