The Braves are beginning their World Series title defense in earnest in the NLDS against the Phillies, who stunned the Cardinals in the NL Wild Card Series. From the ninth-inning rally against Ryan Helsley to the sterling start from Aaron Nola in Game 2, Philadelphia rode into the second-round series.
The Phillies were rewarded with facing one of baseball's best second-half teams this year in No. 2-seed Atlanta, against whom they were 8-11 in the regular season. The Braves got Spencer Strider back after he missed the final few weeks of the season with an oblique injury. Strider was putting together a Rookie of the Year-caliber campaign before the injury, and he entered this series with a new long-term contract extension.
The Phillies, however, have as high a ceiling as one can expect for a No. 6 seed. Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Nick Castellanos and J.T. Realmuto present a formidable top of the order when they're on, not to mention 30-home run hitter Rhys Hoskins. Hits, however, could be hard to come by for Rob Thomson's squad, particularly once pitchers got past the top of the order.
The Braves, meanwhile, have a lineup that chewed through teams after the All-Star break. They had six players finish above league average in OPS+, including likely NL Rookie of the Year Michael Harris, who batted .297 with 20 stolen bases. The real question for Atlanta, however, is: who will step up in the playoffs? Who can be this year's Joc Pederson? Who will make the difference?
MORE: Watch select MLB postseason games live with fuboTV (free trial)
That and pitching, at least. The Phillies were without Zack Wheeler and Nola for Game 1 of the series because they pitched in the Wild Card Series, meaning it was up to Ranger Suarez to take on Max Fried in Game 1. Behind Fried for Atlanta was 21-game winner Kyle Wright.
It's also advantage, Braves, in the bullpen. Atlanta relievers had a 3.03 ERA this year, good for fourth in MLB. The Phillies were 23rd at 4.27, by far the lowest-ranked bullpen ERA among the remaining teams. Jose Alvarado and Seranthony Dominguez have enjoyed stretches of excellence, but they'll need consistency to hold the Braves down.
None of this, of course, rules out the Phillies. But the Braves are a tough matchup for everyone this postseason. Does Philadelphia have what it takes to shock them?
MORE: TSN's baseball experts pick winners for every postseason series
Here's what to know about Braves vs. Phillies in the NLDS.
Braves vs. Phillies schedule
- Game: Game 4
- Date: Friday, Oct. 15
- First pitch: 4:37 p.m. ET
The Braves and Phillies are playing a best-of-five series in which Atlanta has home-field advantage. The first two games were played in Atlanta, and the next two will be in Philadelphia. If they go 2-2 through four, Game 5 will be at Truist Park.
| Date | Game | Time (ET) | Channel | Result |
| Tuesday, Oct. 11 | Game 1: Phillies at Braves | 1:07 p.m. | Fox | PHI 7, ATL 6 (1-0 PHI) |
| Wednesday, Oct. 12 | Game 2: Phillies at Braves | 7:30 p.m. | Fox | ATL 3, PHI 0 (1-1) |
| Friday, Oct. 14 | Game 3: Braves at Phillies | 4:37 p.m. | FS1 | PHI 9, ATL 1 (2-1 PHI) |
| Saturday, Oct. 15 | Game 4: Braves at Phillies | 2:07 p.m. | FS1 | PHI 8, ATL 3 (3-1 PHI) |
* - If necessary
How to watch 2022 MLB playoff games
The National League side of the postseason will be broadcast on Fox and FS1, meaning both NLDS series can be seen on those stations.
Braves vs. Phillies live streams
For those who want to live stream the NLDS — whether it's Phillies vs. Braves or Padres vs. Dodgers — fuboTV carries the Fox family of networks and offers a free trial.
Sportsnet NOW will stream NLDS games in Canada.
Braves vs. Phillies odds
As of Oct. 10, Caesars Sportsbook is giving the Braves -195 odds and the Phillies +162.
Updated odds can be found on Caesars Sportsbook.
Braves vs. Phillies tickets
Those interested in going to see the NLDS at Truist Park or Citizens Bank Park can find tickets through TicketSmarter.
The Phillies were overshadowed a bit by the Mariners this year, but they snapped a 10-year playoff drought with their entrance to the NL playoffs. That's why the price jump from Game 2 to Game 3 is so dramatic -- expect Citizens Bank Park to be packed to the gills as the Phillies play their first playoff baseball there since 2011. The average cost of a ticket will be around $337, with Game 3 severely impacting that number with an average cost of a whopping $708. The most expensive ticket in the series is $2,536.
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