Phillies vs. Braves Game 2: What's at stake as Philadelphia faces elimination
The Phillies are one loss from going home after a Game 1 collapse in Atlanta. Here is the context, the pitching matchup and how to follow Game 2 of the wild-card series.
Fans searching for the Phillies score are following Game 2 of the National League wild-card series against the Atlanta Braves. It is an elimination game for Philadelphia, which trails the best-of-three series 1-0 after a dramatic Game 1 loss. Because the game is live, this article doesn't give a running score. Check the MLB or ESPN scoreboard for the latest.
How we got here
The Phillies led Game 1 for much of the late innings. J.T. Realmuto hit a triple in the top of the seventh to put them ahead, and the Truist Park crowd looked legitimately shook.
Then Austin Riley hit a go-ahead, three-run homer in the bottom of the eighth to send the Braves to a comeback win. That left Philadelphia needing a win in Game 2 to stay alive.
Interim manager Don Mattingly's bullpen decisions drew attention. ESPN wrote that his early call on closer Jhoan Duran, whom he used in the seventh inning against the heart of the Braves' order, backfired. MLB.com took a more balanced view. It said the move made sense, given the hitters involved, even though it left the Phillies exposed later.
The Game 2 matchup
Cristopher Sánchez starts for the Phillies against Atlanta's Tyler Mahle. ESPN's Kiley McDaniel sees that as a big edge for Philadelphia on the mound. Sánchez has averaged more than six innings per start this season.
The Phillies also have hitters who can deliver in big moments, and they have to do it consistently. MLB.com noted that the team struggled offensively in September. It also said the Phillies won on the final day of the regular season after what it called a miserable week, and hoped that would let them reset for October.
First pitch was scheduled for 2 p.m. ET. The game is on NBC and Peacock.
What happens next
If the Phillies win, the series goes to a deciding Game 3, which would be played Thursday. If the Braves win, Atlanta advances and Philadelphia's season ends.
The other wild-card series are also in Game 2 territory. The White Sox lead the Astros, the Yankees lead the Red Sox and the Padres lead the Cubs, each 1-0. Every one of Wednesday's games is an elimination game for the trailing team.
How to follow
Wild-card games this year are on NBC, Peacock and NBCSN. Not every provider carries NBCSN, so check your package before game time. Yahoo Sports reported that some fans struggled to find the games on Tuesday. Peacock is a paid service, and pricing varies depending on how you subscribe.
For the final score and postgame takeaways, check ESPN and MLB.com.
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