The Philadelphia Phillies swept the Miami Marlins to advance to the National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves. The NLDS rematch from October 2022 has found its way back onto the postseason schedule. The battle for supremacy in the NL East is finally here.
Phillies, Braves Have NLDS History
After the Braves won the NL East in 2022, the Phillies ambushed them with a convincing 3-1 series win. The two teams split Games 1 and 2 at Truist Park in Atlanta. When the Phillies returned to Citizens Bank Park for their first home playoff game in 11 years, the Braves didn’t know what hit them.
Red October made its return, and Rhys Hoskins got the home team going. His home run off Spencer Strider in Game 3 ignited a crowd deprived of playoff baseball for too long.
The Phillies rolled to emphatic 9-1 and 8-3 victories in Philadelphia to close out a team that finished 14 games ahead of them in the regular season standings.
Rematch in 2023 MLB Playoffs
The Braves cruised to a 104-58 record during the regular season. They belted 307 home runs, tying a major league record. Ronald Acuna Jr. hit 41 home runs and stole 73 bases. He is the overwhelming favorite to win the NL MVP Award. Matt Olsen led the majors in home runs with 54 and RBI with 139.
Tim Kurkjian of ESPN spoke on The John Kincade Show about the mentality the Braves have facing a team that stunned them last October. Are they scared of the Phillies?
“I don’t think so. When you hit over 300 homers in a season, I don’t think anything is in your head, except for ‘We’re going to score 10 runs tonight.’ That’s how the Braves are operating, but have they suddenly forgotten that the Phillies beat them last year? Of course not.” -Tim Kurkjian
The Phillies barely threatened the Braves in the division race in 2023. However, this collision course has been brewing all season. The renewed rivalry between the Phillies and the Braves just might become the highlight of the 2023 MLB Playoffs.
Phillies-Braves NLDS Schedule
National League Division Series Game 1
Saturday, October 7
Truist Park in Atlanta, GA
6:07 pm (EST) on TBSThe Phillies jumped out to an early lead in the series last year. Can they set the tone in Atlanta once again? Spencer Strider is the probable starter for the Braves. He won’t have to face Rhys Hoskins, but he will have to pitch in a stadium full of excited fans (which is apparently a disadvantage for him).
National League Division Series Game 2
Monday, October 9
Truist Park in Atlanta, GA
6:07 pm (EST) on TBSZack Wheeler will take the hill on five days rest if Rob Thomson slots him for Game 2. If the Phillies can win just one of the first two in Atlanta, they’ll force the Braves into an overwhelming thought that they need to win at Citizens Bank Park to avoid elimination.
National League Division Series Game 3
Wednesday, October 11
Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA
5:07 pm (EST) on TBSCitizens Bank Park was loud for the series against the Marlins, but the matchup against the Braves has been a topic of conversation all season. Expect a whole other level of Red October for Game 3.
National League Division Series Game 4 (If Necessary)
Thursday, October 12
Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, PA
8:07 pm (EST) on TBSThe Phillies closed out the Braves in Game 4 of the 2022 NLDS on the back of an inside-the-park home run by J.T. Realmuto. If Thomson uses Wheeler in Game 2 and Aaron Nola in Game 3, he’ll have some curious decisions to make about his strategy in Game 4.
National League Division Series Game 5 (If Necessary)
Saturday, October 14
Truist Park in Atlanta, GA
8:07 pm (EST) on TBSIf Zack Wheeler pitches Game 2, he’d also be available for a potential Game 5 on regular rest. The Phillies want to take care of business at home to avoid a second trip to Atlanta in a do-or-die situation.
