
The Phillies and Braves return to Truist Park tonight with their Wild Card Series tied 1–1. Philadelphia kept its season alive with a 4–3 win in 10 innings Wednesday: Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper hit consecutive home runs to erase a two-run deficit in the eighth, and Alec Bohm put the Phillies ahead with a homer in the 10th. Now one game decides who advances.
Matchup Philadelphia Phillies at Atlanta Braves Game: National League Wild Card Series, Game 3 Date: Thursday, October 1, 2026 Time: 8:00 p.m. ET Venue: Truist Park, Atlanta TV/streaming NBC and Peacock Series: Tied 1–1 Starting pitchers: To be announced
The starting-pitcher decisions matter more than usual in this winner-take-all game. Philadelphia has prepared Aaron Nola to start, but Zack Wheeler remains a possible option on short rest or in relief. Atlanta expects Grant Holmes to handle the bulk of its innings and could use a left-handed opener first. Neither club had officially named a starter when MLB published its Game 3 preview.
MarketLine Phillies moneyline-116Braves moneyline-102Phillies run line-1.5 (+146) Braves run line+1.5 (-176) Over 7.5 runs-104Under 7.5 runs-118
Odds are a snapshot from Thursday morning and may move when pitching plans are confirmed.
For seven innings of Game 2, Philadelphia was running out of chances. Then its biggest bats changed the series in a matter of minutes. Schwarber and Harper supplied the eighth-inning power, Bohm delivered the deciding swing, and Andrew Painter gave the Phillies three scoreless relief innings.
That comeback gives Philadelphia a clear path tonight: make Atlanta’s pitchers work and get its power hitters another chance in a close game. Bohm has gone 3-for-8 with a double and a home run in the series, while Schwarber and Harper have already shown how quickly they can turn a deficit into a tie. The pitching plan is less settled. Whether the Phillies open with Nola or turn to Wheeler, manager Don Mattingly has options to cover important innings.
Atlanta still has home field and the opportunity to end the series in front of its own crowd. Michael Harris II has been its most consistent hitter through two games, going 4-for-8, and Austin Riley has already delivered a decisive postseason home run in Game 1. The Braves need that production to continue after letting a late Game 2 lead slip away.
How Atlanta manages its pitchers could decide the game. Holmes is expected to provide the bulk innings, but a left-handed opener remains possible. Several Braves relievers have appeared in both games of the series, so an early exit from the bulk pitcher would force Atlanta to make difficult bullpen choices.
Schwarber’s Game 2 homer was the swing that began Philadelphia’s comeback. His power makes him dangerous even if he gets only a few pitches to drive, but a hit prop gives this pick more ways to win than another home run wager.
Harris is 4-for-8 in the series. In a game where Atlanta’s pitching arrangement is still taking shape, its lineup needs steady production, and Harris has supplied it through the first two games.
Harper’s eighth-inning homer helped rescue Game 2. Atlanta knows he can change the score with one swing, but that also makes the pitches he chooses to attack worth watching closely. A one-hit prop keeps the bet tied to his full offensive contribution.
Bohm has three hits in eight at-bats in the series, including Wednesday’s go-ahead home run. Philadelphia has received timely production from him, and this prop asks for one more hit rather than another late-game hero moment.
Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper, Phillies: Their back-to-back homers turned Game 2 around. Atlanta cannot assume a lead is safe while either is due up.
Alec Bohm, Phillies: He has produced both extra-base hits and the biggest swing of the series for Philadelphia.
Michael Harris II, Braves: His 4-for-8 start makes him Atlanta’s most reliable hitter entering the deciding game.
Ronald Acuña Jr., Braves: Acuña is 0-for-6 in the series, though he has still created pressure on the bases. Atlanta’s offense becomes harder to contain if he starts reaching safely.
Pick: Phillies moneyline (-116).
This is close to a coin-flip price, and Atlanta’s home field makes it a difficult call. Philadelphia gets the edge because its middle of the order has just delivered in the highest-pressure innings of the series, while its available pitching options give it ways to adjust as the game unfolds. The unknown starters are a reason to check the line again before betting, particularly if either team announces a pitching plan that shifts the price substantially.
Best betPhillies moneyline (-116)Prop to watchMichael Harris II to record a hitProjected scorePhillies 5, Braves 4
Final prediction: Phillies 5, Braves 4. Philadelphia’s late-game bats carry it through another close contest and into the next round.
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