A Sea of Red at CBP—Braves at Phillies NLDS Game 3 Preview

October baseball is back at the Bank, and the Phillies are right where they were last year: after stealing a win in Atlanta, two wins at CBP would propel the Phillies to the NLCS, ending the Braves’ historic 2023 campaign.

It is probable? Of course not, but it’s happened once and can certainly happen again.

Here is the Phillies’ starting lineup for game three:

1. DH Kyle Schwarber
2. SS Trea Turner
3. 1B Bryce Harper
4. 3B Alec Bohm
5. 2B Bryson Stott
6. C J.T. Realmuto
7. RF Nick Castellanos
8. LF Brandon Marsh
9. CF Johan Rojas

The Phillies and their “A” lineup will face Braves’ righty Bryce Elder, who made his first all-star team in 2023. In 31 starts, Elder posted a respectable 3.81 ERA despite some significant late-season struggles. Since July 4, Elder has a 5.75 ERA, the fifth-highest in the National League over that span, and he has faltered immensely against lefties.

Against the Phillies, results are a mixed bag. Bryson Stott, Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner, Bryce Harper, and J.T. Realmuto are hitless in a combined 23 plate appearances vs. Elder. However, Nick Castellanos has taken him deep twice, and Brandon Marsh has two hits in three at-bats.

For the Phils, the key is to get Elder out of the game early, forcing manager Brian Snitker to turn to his bullpen. Today and tomorrow are the only games in this series occurring on back-to-back days, and with the Braves lacking bullpen depth, the Phillies could have the ability to capitalize on a tired Braves bullpen come game four.

Here is the Braves’ starting lineup for game three:

1. RF Ronald Acuna, Jr.
2. 2B Ozzie Albies
3. 3B Austin Riley
4. 1B Matt Olson
5. DH Marcell Ozuna
6. C Travis d’Arnaud
7. LF Eddie Rosario
8. SS Orlando Arcia
9. CF Michael Harris II

Hopefully, this won’t be Aaron Nola’s final start as a Phillie, but if it is, having to deal against the Braves—who tied the major-league record for home runs as a team in a 162-game season—is one heck of a way to go out.

In his first postseason starts, Nola dominated the Marlins’ offense, allowing just three runs and a walk over seven innings of work. Nola also had success against the Braves in the regular season, as he posted a 3.50 ERA in three starts vs. Atlanta.

And the final thought on the Braves offense? Travis d’Arnuad, ugh.