Deja vu for Braves after another Game 3 beatdown vs. Phillies

Atlanta Braves designated hitter Marcell Ozuna reacts after striking out during the third inning against the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 3 of the NLDS. Eric Hartline-USA TODAY Sports

It's deja vu for the Braves after another Game 3 beatdown vs. Phillies

By Mike Santa Barbara | Last updated 10/11/23

The Philadelphia Phillies took back control of the National League Division Series on Wednesday thanks to an offensive explosion in Game 3, which has to have the Atlanta Braves wondering if history is repeating itself.

For the second straight year, a pivotal Game 3 in the NLDS went the Phillies' way in a very similar fashion. Slugger Bryce Harper helped the Phillies bounce back from a heartbreaking loss in Game 2, smashing two home runs in a 10-2 victory.

Harper broke open Game 3 by swatting a towering three-run homer into the second deck at Citizens Bank Park, leading to a momentum-swinging six-run third inning.

HE TRIED TO WARN 'EM pic.twitter.com/284lM8XeFM
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) October 11, 2023

Meanwhile, starter Aaron Nola pitched a gem on the mound to earn the win, allowing two earned runs over 5.2 innings with nine strikeouts.

Wednesday's result was nearly a carbon copy of last year's Game 3 meeting in the NLDS. After splitting the first two games in Atlanta, the series moved to Philly, the sight of first baseman Rhys Hoskins' famous bat-spike home run. Hoskins' homer, like Harper's on Wednesday, was a three-run shot, leading to a six-run third inning and a Phillies win by eight runs (9-1). Oh, and Nola was on the hill for this one, too.

The Phillies and the Braves are different teams compared to last season, so anything that happened then shouldn't impact today. However, it's hard to deny the eerie coincidences between the two Game 3 matchups.

After a blowout win in the 2022 NLDS, the Phillies cruised to an 8-3 victory in Game 4, punching their ticket to the NLCS, where they'd knock off the San Diego Padres in five games on their way to the World Series. How things will shake out this time remains to be seen, but the Phillies will have their shot at knocking out the Braves in back-to-back years when they host them Thursday for Game 4 at 6:07 p.m. ET.

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