It’s win or go home Thursday night in Atlanta as the Braves are set to host their NL East rivals, the Philadelphia Phillies, in Game 3 of what’s been a tightly contested and entertaining NL Wild Card Series.
After the Braves’ thrilling late-inning comeback to secure a 5-3 win in Game 1 thanks to third baseman Austin Riley’s clutch go-ahead three-run home run in the eighth inning against Philadelphia closer Jhoan Duran, the Phillies responded with some late heroics of their own Wednesday afternoon in a 4-3 extra-inning victory to force a Game 3.
It looked as though the Braves were on their way to advancing to the NLDS after Phillies right fielder Bryce Harper misjudged a fly ball in the seventh inning that allowed the go-ahead run to score. Atlanta also tacked on another run in the inning to take a 3-1 lead.
However, the big boys in Philadelphia’s lineup came up clutch and delivered in the eighth, with Kyle Schwarber hitting a solo home run to cut the deficit to one before two-time MVP Harper redeemed himself with a solo shot of his own to go back-to-back with Schwarber and tie the game at three runs apiece.
Phillies rookie right-hander Andrew Painter pitched three scoreless innings out of the bullpen, including the bottom of the 10th, to secure the win. He had the opportunity to do so because Alec Bohm hit a go-ahead solo home run in the top half of the inning, which ultimately proved to be the game-winner.
In a winner-take-all scenario like this, it’s all hands on deck, and both the Phillies and Braves seem prepared for it.
Philadelphia is set to give the Game 3 start to veteran right-hander Aaron Nola, who had his struggles early in the regular season after posting a 5.75 ERA before the All-Star break but turned things around and pitched really well in the second half, posting a 3.33 ERA across 14 starts. Phillies manager Don Mattingly did note that everyone on the pitching staff should be available for the most part, with veteran right-hander Zack Wheeler being a potential option to come out of the bullpen even on just three days’ rest.
The Braves are planning to use an opener for the game, with left-hander Ray Kerr expected to make the start and try to get through the top of the Phillies’ lineup, which features dangerous left-handed hitters in Schwarber and Harper. Right-hander Grant Holmes is expected to follow Kerr as the bulk pitcher, and he’s been good this year after posting a 10-6 record with a 3.44 ERA in 31 appearances, including 29 starts, during the regular season.
Check out our Phillies vs. Braves best player props, predictions, and more ahead of Thursday night’s decisive NL Wild Card Game 3 at Truist Park.
Phillies vs. Braves Odds for Game 3
It’s a pick’em on the moneyline at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook as the Phillies look to carry their momentum from Game 2 into Thursday night in an attempt to eliminate the Braves from the playoffs for the third time since 2022:
Best Player Prop Bets and Predictions for Phillies vs. Braves
Two teams. One game. Everything on the line. There isn’t a scenario much better than a winner-take-all playoff matchup in sports, so don’t miss the opportunity to get in on the baseball betting action at Hard Rock Bet Sportsbook. Make sure to check out the Stats Hub for insights and trends regarding both teams, where we pulled two of the best player props for Phillies vs. Braves Game 3, as seen with our predictions below:
Kyle Schwarber Over 1.5 Hits+Runs+RBI (-110)
If the Phillies are going to win Thursday night to complete a potential upset of the Braves on the road in the NL Wild Card Series, then they’re going to need their stars to perform. Kyle Schwarber is one of those players, and while he came through in Game 2, he’s going to need to be a factor yet again with the season on the line in Game 3.
Schwarber tied for the MLB lead in home runs with 45 during the regular season, and he just hit a solo home run Wednesday afternoon as part of that stunning eighth inning in which he and Bryce Harper went back-to-back to silence the Atlanta crowd and tie the game. If he hits a home run in Game 3, that immediately puts him over 1.5 Hits+Runs+RBI.
Even if he doesn’t hit a home run, Schwarber can still reach that mark. His 97 RBIs during the regular season were near the top of MLB, as were his 95 runs scored. Schwarber has gone over 1.5 Hits+Runs+RBI in each of the first two games of this series and in each of his last three games overall dating back to the regular-season finale against Tampa Bay.
- Kyle Schwarber Over 1.5 Hits+Runs+RBI (-110)
Austin Riley Over 0.5 Hits+Runs+RBI (-165)
We’re sticking with the same market but looking at a Braves hitter, and that’s Austin Riley. Riley had a disappointing regular season, there’s no question about it, but he’s making up for it so far in the playoffs.
Riley obviously hit that clutch go-ahead three-run home run late in Game 1 to all but secure the win for Atlanta, and he also recorded a hit in Game 2 Wednesday to once again go over 0.5 Hits+Runs+RBI. That’s the key here. Unlike Schwarber’s line, which is set at 1.5, Riley needs to record just one hit, run, or RBI for this prop to cash Thursday night.
Riley has also had a ton of success in his career against the Phillies in both the regular season and the playoffs. He has a career .299 batting average with 59 runs scored and 64 RBIs in 100 regular-season games against Philadelphia, along with a .333 average, three runs scored, and six RBIs in his last six playoff games against the Phillies, including three home runs.
Just like Schwarber, if Riley hits a home run, that immediately cashes this prop, so it’s worth mentioning that the Stats Hub notes he has hit a home run in three of the Braves’ last four home games.
- Austin Riley Over 0.5 Hits+Runs+RBI (-165)
Most-Bet Phillies vs. Braves Player Props
These players have no choice but to give it their all to keep their seasons alive, making the player prop markets for Phillies vs. Braves Game 3 that much more intriguing. Here are the top five most-bet Overs and top five most-bet Unders for Thursday night:
Top 5 Most-Bet Player Prop Overs
- Kyle Schwarber – Over 0.5 Home Runs
- Bryce Harper – Over 0.5 Home Runs
- Matt Olson – Over 0.5 Home Runs
- Ronald Acuña Jr. – Over 0.5 Home Runs
- Trea Turner – To Record 1+ Hits (Over 0.5)
Top 5 Most-Bet Player Prop Unders
- Justin Crawford – Under 0.5 Runs
- Sean Murphy – Under 0.5 Runs
- Mike Yastrzemski – Under 0.5 Runs
- Austin Riley – Under 0.5 Doubles
- Ronald Acuña Jr. – Under 0.5 Doubles
Phillies vs. Braves Game Info
- 📍 Where: Truist Park, Atlanta, GA
- 📅 Date: Thursday, Oct. 1
- ⏰ First Pitch: 8:00 PM ET
- 📺💻 TV/Streaming: NBC, Peacock
- ⚾ Probable Pitchers:
- Phillies: Aaron Nola
- Braves: Ray Kerr
- 🏆 Stage: NL Wild Card Series – Game 3
More Ways to Bet
One swing can cash your ticket, but until then, Florida players can keep things interesting with Real Money Games powered by Past Motor Racing, only on Hard Rock Bet. It’s another way to stay engaged between plate appearances.
Referenced odds are subject to change.
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