The Atlanta Braves have found themselves in a spot they didn't want to be in after taking a series lead over the Phillies in Game One of the NL Wild Card series. Austin Riley's heroics in that game put Atlanta in prime position to meet LA in the NLDS. Unfortunately, a late bullpen collapse in Game Two on Wednesday afternoon may ruin that. Dylan Lee and Didier Fuentes gave up home runs to the top of Philly's lineup, and now they face elimination.
It would be the worst thing to see happen, as Atlanta has not made it past the first round the last three times they've made the postseason. Twice they've been eliminated by the Phillies. That would be devastating after working so hard to win the division. They'll have to hope that the combination of Ray Kerr, Grant Holmes, and the bullpen can hold Philly in check. That will be a tall task, as their ability to hit home runs at any moment makes every pitch important.
Atlanta's offense needs to step up and take a commanding early lead so the pitching has some cushion to work with. However, with the release of the lineup, fans are a little confused about what Walt Weiss is thinking. The main thing to note is that Drake Baldwin is catching, and Sean Murphy is not in the starting lineup. Murphy is on the bench, with Dominic Smith set as the designated hitter for a decisive Game Three.
Game 3. #LetItFly pic.twitter.com/t1p31mOp0U
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) October 1, 2026
Braves decide to employ a lineup in a playoff elimination game that includes Dominic Smith
Murphy is much better behind the plate, so it seems weird to lose that advantage simply because a righty is on the mound. Yes, Smith has a career .774 OPS off of Nola, but his last at-bat against the Phillies' right-hander was in 2024.
As for Smith, it is wild that the veteran wasn't good enough to get playing time in the regular season, yet is somehow good enough to get a start at DH in a game that will decide whether or not the Braves advance. That hardly seems like a good enough reason to put someone in the lineup who hasn't seen regular action in over a month. His at-bat against Andrew Painter at the end of Game Two showed just how rusty he was. It does not bode well for the Braves.
Having Ray Kerr open the game is already nerve wracking enough, Atlanta's two best starters did exactly what they were supposed to so that the team wasn't in this position. The Braves will have to play the best baseball they've played (on both sides of the ball) this season if they hope to move on.
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