The Philadelphia Phillies have been eliminated from the playoffs after losing Game 3 to the Atlanta Braves.
The Philadelphia Phillies' 2026 season is over after falling to the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of the NL Wild Card Series.
It was a rough game for the Phillies from the start, as Aaron Nola gave up a three-run home run to Michael Harris II in the bottom of the 1st. Nola lasted only 1.2 innings, allowing two hits and three earned runs while striking out one batter.
Zach Wheeler took the bulk relief role for Philadelphia, but he ran into trouble in the bottom of the 4th, allowing a two-run blast by Ozzie Albies. Wheeler finished his day going four innings, allowing three hits and two earned runs while striking out three.
The Braves went with a bullpen game, and their staff pitched well. The Phillies got their first run in the top of the 6th on an Alec Bohm groundout, which scored Kyle Schwarber.
Atlanta got the run back an inning later as Matt Olson hit a 416-foot home run to center off Jonathan Bowlan.
Philadelphia managed to get a run in the top of the 8th, as Derek Hill tripled and Trea Turner scored on a sacrifice fly. However, the Phillies were unable to erase the 6-2 deficit from there.
IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters ConnectThe Braves brought in star starting pitcher Chris Sale to record the final four outs of the game just two days after starting in Atlanta's Game 1 victory. Sale had a solid start in Game 1, going 6.1 innings, allowing four hits, three earned runs, and striking out nine.
The 37-year-old was dominant in his relief appearance in Game 3, closing it out for Atlanta and sending them to the NLDS to face off against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
For the Phillies, it was a rough end to their season. Philadelphia struggled early in the year, going 9-19 under manager Rob Thomson. They finished the year 78-54 under interim manager Don Mattingly.
They faced elimination after Jhoan Duran blew the Phillies' lead late in Game 1, but Philadelphia bounced back with a 4-3, 10-inning win in Game 2.
It was all for nothing, as the Phillies now head home and will have to wait another year to make it to the World Series. Philadelphia made it there in 2022 but lost to the Houston Astros, and they haven't won a World Series since 2008.
With a veteran roster, each passing year makes it tougher for the Phillies, and they will have to reset this offseason and add more talent if they want to make a World Series run in 2027.
