Aaron Nola struggled with his command in a short start for the Philadelphia Phillies on Thursday night, allowing three runs in the first inning of Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series at Truist Park as the Atlanta Braves pulled ahead.
Aaron Nola Struggles Early in Game 3 Start Against Atlanta
The Philadelphia Phillies turned to Aaron Nola on regular rest to pitch them into the National League Division Series, but the veteran right-hander ran into trouble right away against the Atlanta Braves. Nola walked two batters with one out in the first inning before surrendering a three-run home run to Michael Harris II.
After settling down briefly in the second frame to record the first two outs, Nola allowed a single to Dominic Smith. Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly removed him immediately for reliever Tim Mayza. Nola finished his night throwing 38 pitches across 1 2/3 innings, managing just 19 strikes.
With Zack Wheeler having thrown 97 pitches in Sunday’s regular-season finale, team leadership selected Nola as the most rested starter for the win-or-go-home contest. The decision to start Nola came after a late-night meeting on Wednesday between Mattingly, pitching coach Caleb Cotham, and other club officials following Philadelphia’s 4-3 extra-inning victory.
“Obviously it’s another elimination game, I think three out of the last four have been elimination games, so I’m assuming it’ll be pretty much all hands on deck.”
Don Mattingly, Phillies interim manager
On the opposing bench, the National League East-leading Braves entered the evening with a 94-68 regular-season record, holding home-field advantage at Truist Park for the decisive contest. During the regular season, Nola went 7-12 with a 4.67 ERA over 32 starts, finishing with a 3.33 ERA in 14 outings following the All-Star break. He logged three previous starts against Atlanta in 2026, posting a 4.50 ERA across those appearances.
Ray Kerr Opens for Atlanta and Dominic Smith Gets the Nod at Designated Hitter
Weiss also adjusted his batting order by inserting Dominic Smith at designated hitter. Smith saw limited action down the stretch of the regular season, finishing September with just three starts and hitting .253 with nine home runs, six doubles, and a 91 OPS+ over 108 total games, but Weiss pointed to his history against Nola as the deciding factor for the lineup choice.
Braves manager Walt Weiss deployed left-hander Ray Kerr as an opener to start the top of the Philadelphia order, with right-hander Grant Holmes expected to follow in bulk relief behind the southpaw. Kerr, who returned to the major leagues in August after missing the entire 2025 season following 2024 Tommy John surgery, entered the night with a 1.47 ERA across nine appearances this year.
“Dom has got a lot of history against Nola. Not saying he’s dominated Nola or anything, but he’s had his fair share of success against him, a lot of at-bats.”
Walt Weiss, Braves manager
Atlanta’s starting lineup for the postseason showdown featured Drake Baldwin catching behind the plate, Ronald Acuña Jr. in right field, Matt Olson at first base, Michael Harris II in center field, Mauricio Dubón at shortstop, Mike Yastrzemski in left field, Austin Riley at third base, Ozzie Albies at second base, and Smith as the designated hitter. Realmuto catching, and Justin Crawford patrolling center field.
Which team will advance directly to Los Angeles to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series opening on Saturday?