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The article discusses the Philadelphia Phillies' strategy for their Game 3 matchup against the Atlanta Braves in the National League Wild Card series. Aaron Nola, with extensive postseason experience, is set to start despite Zack Wheeler being an option; Nola threw only 21 pitches in his last appearance and is on regular rest. The piece highlights Nola's recent success against the Braves and his preference for using a knuckle curve pitch that tends to induce swings at out-of-zone pitches from opposing batters.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-02,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
Story summary
The Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves played two closely contested games in their National League Wild Card Series, with the Phillies forcing a decisive Game 3 after winning 4-3 on Wednesday in extra innings. In this game, Alec Bohm's home run in the tenth inning secured victory for the Phillies, who had earlier rallied from a 3-1 deficit with back-to-back homers by Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper. With momentum on their side, Philadelphia opted to start Aaron Nola, known for his durability and postseason experience, against an inexperienced Braves reliever Ray Kerr. Despite being the home team, odds makers are closely split on which team will win Game 3, reflecting the tight competition between these two rivals. Bettors can take advantage of promotions such as BetMGM's offer to receive up to $1,500 back in bonus bets if their initial wager does not succeed, valid for users in several US states including Arizona and Illinois. This deal aims to attract new gamblers while rewarding those supporting the Phillies' efforts to advance further in the playoffs.
Written for “Phillies vs Braves Wild Card Series” on 2026-10-05,
grounded in this article and the 12 other(s) covering the same event.
The Phillies earned their keep as the only Wild Card team to force a Game 3.
asserted
Phillies → earn → 3
Their postseason experience paid dividends on Wednesday, emerging 4-3 in extras after climbing back from a 3-1 deficit via Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper’s back-to-back home runs in the eighth.
asserted
experience → pay → eighth
Now with all the momentum heading in Thursday evening’s win-and-advance decision, the Phillies’ experience will once again be an asset.
asserted
experience → head → decision
Philadelphia opted to start Aaron Nola, who is on regular rest after throwing only 21 pitches in his last start on Saturday.
asserted
who → opt → Saturday
While Zack Wheeler would have been the more conventional choice, the Phillies ace threw 97 pitches on Sunday and has never started a postseason game on short rest.
asserted
ace → throw → rest
Phillies vs. Braves Game 3 prediction, best bet
Neither here nor there, Nola brings a postseason resume of 11 starts to the bump, going 5-4 with a 3.88 ERA.
asserted
Nola → bring → ERA
He faces Ray Kerr, who has zero playoff experience in his four years in the majors.
asserted
who → face → majors
Yet, some books have this priced as a pick’em, while others are giving a razor-thin edge to the Braves on home turf.
asserted
others → price → turf
The 33-year-old battled command issues through his first 17 starts, sporting a 5.58 ERA, before turning the season on its head by executing better sequencing to escape late-inning jams.
asserted
old → battle → jams
Nola has seen the Braves twice within the last month and surrendered only three runs across 13 ⅓ innings.
asserted
Nola → see → innings
He pitched a 4.50 ERA against them in 18 innings overall, but reached the fifth inning in all three starts.
asserted
He → pitch → starts
It wasn’t long ago Nola pitched against Atlanta in a postseason game, either.
asserted
Nola → pitch → game
He secured wins against previous iterations of this lineup in both 2022 and 2023.
asserted
He → secure → 2022
Nola loves his knuckle curve, dealing it 33 percent of the time per Statcast.
asserted
Nola → love → Statcast
It’s that pitch that helps his chase rate, which is in MLB’s top 22 percent.
asserted
which → ’ → percent
The Braves are more eager than not in fishing for balls outside the zone; they rank inside the top-10 highest chase rates, swinging at 31 percent of those pitches, and making contact with them at the fourth-lowest clip overall.
asserted
they → fish → clip
Learn all you need to know about MLB Betting
- Read about the Best Baseball Betting Sites
- Learn all about How to Bet on Baseball
asserted
you → learn → Baseball
Don Mattingly said Game 3 will be “all hands on deck,” so Nola’s outs prop is set at 11.5, indicating that he could be used more as an opener.
uncertain
he → say → opener
Philadelphia has less reason to get cute with an early hook given some key relievers have been used in big spots over the last two days.
asserted
relievers → have → days
THE PLAY: Aaron Nola Over 11.5 Outs (-135, DraftKings)
Why Trust New York Post Betting
Sean Treppedi handicaps the NFL, NHL, MLB and college football for the New York Post.
asserted
Treppedi → trust → Post
He primarily focuses on picks that reflect market value while tracking trends to mitigate risk.
asserted
that → focus → risk
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