NLDS Game 4: Phillies 8, Braves 3

It all comes down to this for the Atlanta Braves as they face a must win to avoid elimination when they face the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 4 of the NLDS Saturday afternoon. A six-run third inning sent the Braves on their way to a 9-1 loss in Game 3 and a 2-1 deficit in the series. Atlanta must win Saturday to force a Game 5 situation back in Atlanta on Sunday.

Charlie Morton will get the start for the Braves while the Phillies will go with Noah Syndergaard. Atlanta considered going with Morton in Game 3, but opted to go with Spencer Strider instead due to having a rested bullpen. That move backfired somewhat as Strider tired in the third as the Phillies put up a big number. If there was any positive takeaway in the loss, it is that Dylan Lee, Jake Odorizzi and Jesse Chavez combined to close the final 5 ²⁄₃ innings of the game and thus saving the Braves’ key bullpen arms for Game 4.

Nothing the Braves do is going to matter much if they can’t get their offense going. Atlanta managed just six hits in Friday’s loss, left eight more runners on base and were 1-for-9 with runners in scoring position. Austin Riley and Dansby Swanson are 3-for-24 in the series with nine strikeouts. Marcell Ozuna, who has started at DH over William Contreras in the last two games, is 0-for-8 with four strikeouts.

How to Watch Saturday’s Game 4

Start Time: 2:07 p.m. E1

TV: FS!

11:15 AM Update - Contreras back at DH, Rosario in left, Riley drops to fifth with Braves on brink of elimination

Braves

1. Acuña RF
2. Swanson SS
3. Olson 1B
4. d’Arnaud C
5. Riley 3B
6. Harris CF
7. Contreras DH
8. Arcia 2B
9. Rosario LF

Phillies

1. Schwarber LF
2. Hoskins 1B
3. Realmuto C
4. Harper DH
5. Castellanos RF
6. Bohm 3B
7. Stott SS
8. Segura 2B
9. Marsh CF

Pregame Update - Brian Snitker on the Braves’ offensive struggles, potential Game 5 starter

“It can, it’s baseball,” Braves manager Brian Snitker said when asked about the possibility of the offense turning around quickly. “We’ve been through these things before. you just hope guys relax and just let their talents go, not try and force things.”

“Anytime you go through the offensive things, I think guys try to do too much, and they want to be the guy,” Snitker added. “It doesn’t work that way. One hit, keep the line moving, and you just never know in this game. Hopefully we come out today and put it all behind us and get on one of those runs.”

FINAL - Braves’ season ends with 8-3 loss to Phillies

Charlie Morton exited after just two innings and the Atlanta Braves managed just four hits while falling to the Philadelphia Phillies 8-3 in Game 4 of the NLDS. Atlanta’s season comes to an end in disappointing fashion while the Phillies advance to take on either the Dodgers or the Padres in the NLCS