The Los Angeles Dodgers are set to welcome the victor of Tuesday’s National League wild‑card series between the Philadelphia Phillies and the Atlanta Braves. The winner will face the defending champion Dodgers in the NL Division Series, a matchup that could shape the postseason landscape.
Wild‑card series recap
Philadelphia entered the final stretch of the season with a 6.5‑game lead for the third NL wild‑card spot on September 1, only to endure a dramatic 10‑game losing streak that threatened their postseason hopes. The Phillies ultimately secured the wild‑card berth on the season’s final day, marking their fifth straight playoff appearance.
Atlanta, the NL East champion, finished six games ahead of the Phillies with a 94‑win season, an 18‑win improvement over last year. The Braves posted a 9‑4 season series advantage over the Dodgers and swept an August series against Los Angeles with three one‑run victories.
Key pitchers
The Phillies’ rotation has been a strength, though starter Zack Wheeler may be unavailable after pitching on Sunday. Jesús Luzardo and Cristopher Sánchez are slated for Games 1 and 2, with Andrew Painter or Aaron Nola possible for a decisive Game 3.
The Braves are expected to start Chris Sale in Game 1. The All‑Star left‑hander finished the regular season with a 2.16 ERA over 27 starts and will make his first postseason appearance since 2021. Tyler Mahle, acquired at the trade deadline, provides a reliable No. 2 option.
Managerial notes
Philadelphia’s popular manager Rob Thomson was dismissed in April after four straight playoff trips, including a 2022 World Series appearance. Interim manager Don Mattingly, formerly a bench coach, now leads the club in his first postseason as head coach.
Atlanta’s veteran manager remains at the helm, guiding a lineup that features Matt Olson, Michael Harris II, Ronald Acuña Jr., Drake Baldwin and Ozzie Albies.
Schedule and broadcast
Game 1 begins Tuesday at 11 a.m. on NBC/Peacock, followed by Game 2 on Wednesday at the same time. If necessary, Game 3 will be played Thursday on NBC/Peacock/NBCSN.
The NL wild‑card series runs September 29‑October 1. The Division Series follows October 3‑10 on FOX/FS1, with the NL Championship Series slated for October 11‑20 and the World Series for October 23‑31.
What to watch
Dodgers fans should note that Los Angeles holds a 4‑2 record against Philadelphia this season and a 5‑1 record against Atlanta. The outcome of the wild‑card series will determine which team challenges the Dodgers’ recent dominance.
Original reporting: NBC4 Los Angeles — read the source article.
