The Atlanta Braves will try to keep from falling into an 0-2 hole in the NLDS when they take on the Philadelphia Phillies Wednesday evening at Truist Park. Atlanta dropped the series opener 7-6 and face a crucial must-win situation in Game 2. Kyle Wright will start the biggest game of his career while the Phillies will roll out their ace in Zack Wheeler. Wednesday’s game is scheduled to begin at 4:35 p.m. ET and can be soon nationally on FOX.
Game 1 Postgame notes and reaction
- Max Fried was off, and Philadelphia made him pay in taking Game 1 of the NLDS
- Battery Power Podcast: An unkind start to the postseason for the Braves
Game 2 Pregame
The Braves will try to avoid falling into a 0-2 hole Wednesday when they send Kyle Wright to the mound in Game 2 of the NLDS against the Phillies. Wright spoke with the media Tuesday and discussed his journey from being a Top 5 pick to his early major league struggles, before breaking through this season.
Tuesday’s game is scheduled to begin at 4:35 p.m. ET and can be seen again on FOX. Rain is in the forecast though so be sure to check back for updates.
Game 2 Lineups
The Braves will go with a different look for their lineup in Game 2 as both Marcell Ozuna and Eddie Rosrario return to the starting nine.
Braves
1. Ronald Acuña Jr. - RF
2. Dansby Swanson - SS
3. Matt Olson - 1B
4. Austin Riley - 3B
5. Travis d’Arnaud - C
6. Michael Harris - CF
7. Orlando Arcia - 2B
8. Marcell Ozuna - DH
9. Eddie Rosario - LF
Phillies
1. Kyle Schwarber - LF
2. Rhys Hoskins - 1B
3. J.T. Realmuto - C
4. Bryce Harper - DH
5. Nick Castellanos - RF
6. Alec Bohm - 3B
7. Brandon Marsh - CF
8. Jean Segura - 2B
9. Bryson Stott - SS
1:00 PM Update - Tyler Matzek undergoing Tommy John surgery in Texas Wednesday
Brian Snitker announced during his pregame media session that Tyler Matzek is undergoing Tommy John surgery Wednesday and will miss the entire 2023 season. Matzek dealt with a shoulder injury earlier this season, but never regained the form that he showed last season.
2:30 PM Update - No panic for Braves despite Game 1 loss
“We’ve been through this a lot. We started out the run last year in the same situation,” Brian Snitker said. “I think these guys have been very good about putting yesterday behind because the only thing we can control is the day. We talk a lot about that. You come out, you prepare to win the game today because yesterday is gone. Tomorrow is light years away. The only thing we focus on right now is today. This group has been resilient.”
Weather UPDATE - Today’s game won’t start at 4:35 p.m. ET
There is a 4 p.m. meeting with MLB officials and the two teams to update the weather. The guess here is they do not start on time, but we’ll see. Rob Thomson said the consensus is the game will not start unless they think they can play the whole thing without delays.
— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) October 12, 2022
4:20 p.m. Update - Ken Rosenthal on the weather situation for Game 2 and what the contingency plan might be.
Today's Phillies vs Braves postseason game is delayed and the start time is currently TBD.@Ken_Rosenthal has the latest on if the game will take place today, and breaks down what MLB is currently discussing for their plan to get the game in: pic.twitter.com/70rL9WAelJ
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 12, 2022
4:40 pm Update - Ken Rosenthal reports that there is a tentative start time of 7:30 or 7:45 but MLB will meet again at 6 pm to discuss the situation.
Update on today's weather delay: @Ken_Rosenthal reports that the tentative start time for today's Phillies-Braves NLDS game is between 7:30-7:45p ET. pic.twitter.com/XmpPuicg4h
— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) October 12, 2022
6:08 pm Update - Tonight’s game is expected to begin at 7:30 p.m. ET per The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.
First pitch for Game 2: 7:30 ET
— Ken Rosenthal (@Ken_Rosenthal) October 12, 2022
6:50 p.m. Update - The tarp is coming off the field and it appears there will be baseball tonight.
Here is a welcomed sight pic.twitter.com/qWEAmuDmBP
— Kris Willis (@Kris_Willis) October 12, 2022
7:30 p.m. - Follow along with us in tonight’s game thread
Third inning update
After a nearly three hour rain delay, Game 2 of the NLCS between the Braves and the Phillies is shaping up as an old fashioned pitcher’s duel. Kyle Wright retired nine of the first 10 hitters he faced. Bryce Harper led off the second with a double, but was left stranded at third as Wright struck out Brandon Marsh to end the inning. Zack Wheeler was just as impressive firing three perfect innings to start.
Kyle Wright, Filthy 87mph Curveball. pic.twitter.com/nyxEqs8YJZ
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) October 12, 2022
Sixth Inning
Wheeler was dominant through the first five innings, but finally ran into trouble in the sixth when he hit Ronald Acuña Jr. in the right elbow to start the inning. Acuña was down for several minutes but stayed in the game. Wheeler then walked Dansby Swanson to put runners at first and second and Matt Olson delivered with a single off of Rhys Hoskins’ glove at first to give the Braves their first run of the game.
Matty O!@mattolson21 | #Back2Battle pic.twitter.com/iKWT4vLqHD
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) October 13, 2022
Austin Riley then followed with a dribbler down the third base line that went for an infield hit. Swanson scored to make it 2-0.
Just how we drew it up @austinriley1308 | #Back2Battle pic.twitter.com/Bvrqzqs3L7
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) October 13, 2022
Travis d’Arnaud then delivered a single to center that scored Olson to make it 3-0.
d’Arn-YES!#Back2Battle pic.twitter.com/SfhlGI4mro
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) October 13, 2022
Ninth Inning
The Braves turned to the bullpen in the seventh inning and A.J. Minter and Raisel Iglesias put up zeroes. Kenley Jansen retired Hoskins, Realmuto and Harper to end the game. Both teams will enjoy the only off day of the series Thursday before resuming play Friday in Philadelphia.