Aaron Nola surrendered a costly three-run home run and lasted just 1 2/3 innings as the Philadelphia Phillies dropped a 6-2 elimination game to the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series on Thursday night at Truist Park.
The winner-take-all showdown came down to a desperate pitching chess match after both teams exhausted their pitching staffs during a 10-inning thriller on Wednesday. Philadelphia interim manager Don Mattingly bypassed ace Zack Wheeler on short rest, selecting Nola for regular-rest duty after the right-hander posted a 4.67 ERA across 33 regular-season starts. Atlanta countered by opening with left-hander Ray Kerr making his first career postseason appearance.
Aaron Nola Struggles Early in Game 3
Nola immediately ran into command trouble in the opening frame. After issuing two one-out walks, Michael Harris II crushed a three-run home run to stake the Braves to an early advantage. Nola settled temporarily in the second inning before a single from Dominic Smith prompted Mattingly to lift his veteran starter.
The right-hander threw 38 pitches, managing just 19 strikes over 1 2/3 innings of work. While Nola finished his regular season strongly by posting a 3.33 ERA in 14 starts following the All-Star break, his overall campaign included a 7-12 record and a shaky outing against the Tampa Bay Rays just five days prior. More than an hour following Wednesday’s thrilling 4-3 comeback win in 10 innings over the Braves during Game 2, Phillies interim skipper Don Mattingly, pitching coach Caleb Cotham, and additional club personnel met to discuss their pitching strategy for Game 3. Mattingly indicated on Monday that Nola was working toward starting Game 3. Ultimately, Nola was the most rested starter, so that’s what they chose. 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, could be available out of the bullpen. The thought of Wheeler not pitching in a postseason series seems almost impossible. Again, all hands on deck tomorrow,
Mattingly said. Yeah, everything on the line,
Andrew Painter said. Luzardo would make fun of me if I didn’t. I’m 23. He says I should be good every day.
It’s unclear if closer Jhoan Duran will be available. He threw 27 pitches over two innings in Tuesday’s Game 1 loss. He was not available in Game 2, Mattingly said. Following a Wednesday afternoon catch session, Duran made a hand gesture indicating his discomfort, though he expressed optimism that pregame treatment would help him feel better. Although he was not well enough to pitch on Wednesday, he returned to action Thursday evening to hurl a scoreless eighth frame with two strikeouts. Nola had a 4.50 ERA in three starts against Atlanta during the regular season.
Ray Kerr Executes Atlanta Opener Plan
For Atlanta, manager Walt Weiss deployed an opener strategy designed to manage Philadelphia’s tough left-handed top of the order. Kerr delivered precisely what his club needed, tossing 3 1/3 scoreless innings while allowing only one hit, walking one batter, and striking out two.
Kerr completed 9 2/3 innings of shutout baseball against the Phillies across three appearances this season. The left-hander returned to the majors in August after missing the entire 2025 season following 2024 Tommy John surgery, completing a remarkable journey that began after working at 7-Eleven before his 2022 big-league debut. During a pregame press briefing, reporters asked Walt Weiss how Kerr is preparing for this major start, with his background serving as a key consideration to ensure the moment doesn’t overwhelm him. Ray is a pretty easygoing guy,
Weiss said. Ray has thrown the ball well against these guys, and it’s been recent. I think two different outings within a week, three, three-plus each time, scoreless, did a nice job. Keeps a right-handed starter away from that top of the order for a minute. Ray has thrown the ball really well, he’s done a nice job for us.
Grant Holmes is expected to pitch in bulk relief behind Kerr. Kerr tossed three scoreless frames as the opener in Miami on September 25, while Holmes surrendered one run over four innings in a 3-0 defeat.
Dominic Smith Draws Surprise Start
Weiss made a surprising pregame roster choice by writing Dominic Smith into the designated hitter spot. Smith saw limited playing time down the stretch, starting just three games during September and recording three hits in his final 30 regular-season at-bats.
Weiss defended the move by pointing to Smith’s extensive history facing Nola. Dom has got a lot of history against Nola,
Weiss explained to reporters, noting that the veteran routinely grinds out deep counts and uses the entire field.
Atlanta Advances to Face Los Angeles
The 6-2 victory sent the Braves forward to the National League Division Series. Atlanta advances to travel to Los Angeles, where they will face the Los Angeles Dodgers in a series scheduled to begin on Saturday.
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