ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) — The Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies face off Thursday night at Truist Park in a decisive Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series.
First pitch was moved to 8:15 p.m. after all other Wild Card matchups wrapped up in two games, leaving this the lone best-of-three series remaining.
WHO: Philadelphia Phillies (88-74, second in the NL East during the regular season) vs. Atlanta Braves (94-68, first in the NL East during the regular season)
WHERE: Truist Park, Atlanta
PITCHERS:
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Braves: LHP Ray Kerr
Phillies: RHP Aaron Nola
STARTING LINEUPS:
BRAVES
- C Drake Baldwin
- RF Ronald Acuña Jr.
- 1B Matt Olson
- CF Michael Harris II
- SS Mauricio Dubón
- LF Mike Yastrzemski
- 3B Austin Riley
- 2B Ozzie Albies
- DH Dominic Smith
PHILLIES:
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- SS Trea Turner
- DH Kyle Schwarber
- RF Bryce Harper
- 1B Alec Bohm
- 2B Bryson Stott
- LF Bryan De La Cruz
- 3B Edmundo Sosa
- C J.T. Realmuto
- CF Justin Crawford
INJURIES:
Braves: Reynaldo Lopez: 15-Day IL (right shoulder), Martin Perez: 15-Day IL (back), Hurston Waldrep: 60-Day IL (elbow), Lane Thomas: 10-Day IL (side), Spencer Strider: 60-Day IL (elbow), Bryce Elder: 15-Day IL (knee), Joe Jimenez: 60-Day IL (knee), Spencer Schwellenbach: 60-Day IL (elbow), Joey Wentz: 60-Day IL (knee)
Phillies: Jonathan Bowlan: day-to-day (groin), Caleb Kilian: 60-Day IL (oblique), Felix Reyes: 60-Day IL (wrist), Brad Keller: 60-Day IL (elbow), Johan Rojas: 60-Day IL (elbow), Adolis Garcia: 60-Day IL (lat)
The time change allows fans to head straight to the ballpark after work for the do-or-die matchup, giving nearby businesses an expected boost.
RELATED: Here’s why there was uncertainty in Game 3 start time
The series is tied 1-1 after the Phillies edged out the Braves 4-3 on Wednesday. Atlanta won Game 1.
Despite Wednesday’s loss, Braves fans visiting the ballpark expressed confidence ahead of the finale.
Restaurants at The Battery Atlanta said they are gearing up for a significant surge in foot traffic leading up to the evening start.
RELATED: Braves can’t capitalize on Harper error, allow trio of late home runs to drop Game 2 to Phillies
“Yesterday was amazing, not the outcome we had hoped for, but the energy will be up and business-wise we’re expecting huge crowds,” said Abigail Quinn, El Super Pan’s Business Operations Manager.
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What’s next
The winner of Thursday night’s game advances to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series, which begins Saturday.
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