NLDS Game 2: Braves 3, Phillies 0

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

• Kyle Wright ready for arguably the biggest start of his career in Game 2

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.

• Braves look to avoid dreaded 2-0 NLDS deficit in Game 2 vs. Phillies

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

4:20 p.m. Update - Ken Rosenthal on the weather situation for Game 2 and what the contingency plan might be.

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.

6:08 pm Update - Tonight’s game is expected to begin at 7:30 p.m. ET per The Athletic’s Ken Rosenthal.

6:50 p.m. Update - The tarp is coming off the field and it appears there will be baseball tonight.

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.

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.

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.

Travis d’Arnaud then delivered a single to center that scored Olson to make it 3-0.

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.

Final: Braves 3, Phillies 0