ATLANTA — The Phillies didn’t want to return with the kind of division they achieved in Atlanta, but they will have an advantage beyond home field in Game 3 on Wednesday night.
They start Aaron Nola, who has a 3.86 ERA in six career playoff games, four of which the Phillies won.
The Braves’ options appeared to be either Bryce Elder, AJ Smith-Shawver or an opener in a bullpen game. Atlanta would have used Charlie Morton in that spot if he were healthy. The soon-to-be 40-year-old was placed on the 15-day injured list on September 24th due to a finger infection. The Braves were required to submit their NLDS roster the day before it was activated. He could be in play for the next round if the Braves advance.
Atlanta could also activate Morton if he is replaced on the injured list by an active roster member, although MLB would likely look closely to ensure it is not a roster tampering.
Despite striking out a career-best 83 batters, Morton had another solid season with a 3.64 ERA and 183 strikeouts in 163 innings. Unlike Elder and Smith-Shawver, he has plenty of playoff experience — 80 innings worth. One of those starts was against the Phillies in Game 4 of the 2022 NLDS and Morton only lasted two innings.
Elder and Smith-Shawver are both right-handed rookies with no previous experience in playoff baseball. Elder was a big part of the Braves’ first-half success, but struggled mightily after the All-Star break, posting a 5.75 ERA in his last 14 starts.
Smith-Shawver made five starts this summer and allowed seven home runs and 14 runs in 23 innings.
Nola hasn’t been reliable early on this season, but the Phillies will certainly feel more comfortable with their pitching plan heading into Game 3 of the Braves.
Elder shut out the Phillies over seven innings on June 22, but failed to get past the fourth inning of his start against them on September 20, allowing five runs and allowing two longballs to Nick Castellanos.
Smith-Shawver, who has more swing-and-miss, has never played against the Phils.
Nola’s last two starts against the Braves were strong – two runs over six innings with eight strikeouts on September 20th and six scoreless on June 22nd.