NL Wild Card Series: What to know about Braves-Phillies Game 1

ATLANTA — The Atlanta Braves will start their MLB postseason journey on Tuesday.

The NL East Division champions will host division rival Philadelphia Phillies in a best-of-three series at Truist Park.

Here is a guide for everything that fans need to know about Game 1 of the 2026 NL Wild Card Series.

[DOWNLOAD: Free WSB-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]

GAME TIME AND STARTERS

Truist Park’s gates will open at 12 p.m. with first pitch scheduled for 2:15 p.m.

Chris Sale will get the start for the Braves while the Phillies will go with Jesus Luzardo in an opener and bullpen game. This will be Sale’s first time pitching for the Braves in the postseason and his first postseason appearance in five years.

“Just being able to pitch for the first time for this organization in the postseason means a lot. You know like I said before, you know, being able pitch at home in front of our home fans, again, for the time in the postseason for this organizations gonna be, it’s gonna be a lot of fun. I’m excited for it,” Sale said.

WEATHER

Severe Weather Team 2 Meteorologist Brian Monahan says fans can enjoy plenty of blue sky and sunshine.

Temps will be in the low 80s for most of the game.

MATCHUP

This will be the third time in the last five years that the Braves and Phillies will meet in the postseason. The Braves held the better record in 2022 and 2023, but it was the Phillies who advanced to the next round both years.

Once again, Atlanta enters the playoffs with the better overall record and a 9-4 record against Philadelphia so far this season.

“We got a lot of respect for them, solid team. You know, it’s a matchup that we always kind of look forward to just because you know they’re gonna be competitive,” Braves first baseman Matt Olson said during Monday’s workouts.