Braves knock off Phillies for first time in postseason history

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Braves overcome history, knock off Phillies for first time in postseason history

By Andrew Wright | Last updated Oct 2, 2026 12:00 AM ET

Prior to Thursday night, the Atlanta Braves had never defeated the Philadelphia Phillies in a postseason series.

Philadelphia was 3-0 all-time in postseason matchups, including 2022 and 2023 when it knocked Atlanta out of the postseason after the Braves had won 100-plus games in each of those seasons.

Those memories are a thing of the past after Thursday, though, as the Braves defeated the Phillies 6-2 in a winner-take-all game to advance to the NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Atlanta hadn't won a winner-take-all game since the 1996 postseason

For the Braves, coming away victorious in a winner-take-all game is not something that many fans have seen. Thursday's win in Game 3 of the wild-card series was Atlanta's first win in a winner-take-all game since Game 7 of the 1996 NLCS.

Coincidentally enough, Atlanta had three home runs carry it to victory in both the 1996 (Andruw Jones, Fred McGriff, Javy Lopez) and 2026 (Michael Harris, Matt Olson, Ozzie Albies) games.

For the Phillies, their drought of a victory in a winner-take-all game continues, as they've not had a win in that situation since the 1980 postseason.

The last time the @Braves won a winner-take-all game in the #Postseason?

Game 7 of the 1996 NLCS https://t.co/5deplCFELT pic.twitter.com/L3QC9tCs7H
— MLB Stats (@MLBStats) October 2, 2026

Ray Kerr, Michael Harris set the tone for Atlanta

Atlanta jumped out to a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning after a three-run home run from Harris. While that homer certainly got plenty of energy in the stadium, it was left-hander Ray Kerr who set the tone in the top half of the inning.

Making the first postseason appearance of his career, Kerr was used as an opener and exceeded all expectations with an outstanding start. Kerr went above and beyond for Atlanta on Thursday night and despite not being the winning pitcher, he certainly shined in the biggest moment of his career.

Michael Harris II! This pitch was 1.11 ft above the ground

That is the:
-3rd-lowest pitch hit for a postseason HR under tracking (2008)

-5th-lowest hit for a HR by a Braves player in reg or post in span

-lowest HR pitch of his career https://t.co/sc6UmeXfpP
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) October 2, 2026

Atlanta has a tough test ahead with the Dodgers

With the win in the first round, the Braves will now move on to the NLDS and match up with the back-to-back World Series champion Dodgers.

The last postseason matchup between the two teams came in the 2021 NLCS, a series the Braves won 4-2 on their way to a World Series victory. It will be a series full of star power that truly has the potential for either side to emerge victorious and advance to the NLCS.

Andrew Wright

Andrew "Dew" Wright graduated from Charleston Southern University with a degree in Communication Studies. He is a lifelong Chicago Cubs and Washington Commanders fan.

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