Braves Beat Phillies 6-2 to Reach NLDS as Harris' 3-Run Homer Sparks Game 3

Q: With their season on the line, can Ronald Acuña Jr. finally break his hitless streak and save the Braves?

Yes—but Atlanta cannot count on Acuña alone. The best evidence for a breakout is the matchup. Acuña is 0-for-6 in the series, but his career numbers against expected Phillies starter Aaron Nola are excellent: 23-for-65 (.354) with eight doubles, four homers and a 1.080 OPS. Nola also had a 4.50 ERA in three starts against Atlanta this season, so this is not an impossible spot for the Braves’ leadoff man to reset the series. There are also signs the Braves’ lineup is still dangerous even with Acuña quiet. Michael Harris II has been Atlanta’s hottest hitter in the series, and Matt Olson has a strong history against Nola as well. That matters because the Braves may need multiple contributors; Philadelphia’s pitching plan is expected to be aggressive, with Nola likely starting and Zack Wheeler, Jesús Luzardo or Andrew Painter all possible in relief. The challenge for Atlanta is that Acuña’s drought has come at the worst time, and the Braves may be piecing the game together with Grant Holmes after an opener while leaning on a taxed bullpen. That raises the pressure on the offense to score early rather than waiting for one superstar swing. So, Acuña is well-positioned to end the hitless streak, especially if he sees Nola early. But if the Braves are going to survive Game 3, they likely need more than just his first hit of the series—they need him to ignite the lineup and set up Olson and Harris behind him.

3 articles · Updated · Fox News · Oct 2

Michael Harris II put Atlanta in control immediately, crushing a three-run first-inning homer after Ronald Acuna Jr. and Matt Olson opened with walks in the 6-2 Game 3 win.
Ray Kerr and Atlanta's bullpen made the opener strategy work: Kerr logged 3.1 scoreless innings, Grant Holmes bridged the middle, and Chris Sale closed instead of Raisel Iglesias.
Ozzie Albies added a two-run homer off Zack Wheeler in relief, Matt Olson went deep in the seventh, and Philadelphia managed only Alec Bohm's RBI groundout and Trea Turner's sacrifice fly.
The result sends Atlanta to an NLDS matchup with the Dodgers, but the Braves enter with pitching questions after using Sale, Holmes and multiple relievers in the winner-take-all game.