Phillies' Aaron Nola Reportedly Starting vs. Braves over Zack Wheeler For MLB Playoffs Series Finale
Bleacher Report • • sports
Key Points:
- The Philadelphia Phillies will start Aaron Nola on the mound for the winner-take-all Game 3 against the Atlanta Braves in the National League Wild Card series, with interim manager Don Mattingly opting against using Zack Wheeler on short rest.
- The Braves will counter with lefty Ray Kerr as an opener, while the Phillies' deep starting staff has already featured All-Stars Jesús Luzardo and Cristopher Sánchez in the first two games.
- Wheeler pitched six strong innings in the final regular-season game but has never started on short rest, making Nola the preferred choice despite his mixed performance earlier in the season.
- The Phillies forced Game 3 after a dramatic 4-3 win in Game 2, highlighted by back-to-back homers from Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper and a go-ahead solo homer by Alec Bohm in extra innings.
- Game 3 will be played at 8 p.m. ET from Truist Park, with the winner advancing to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS starting Saturday.
