The Atlanta Braves advanced to the National League Division Series for the first time since winning the 2021 World Series, beating the Philadelphia Phillies 6-2 in Thursday's winner-take-all Game 3. Atlanta's win hinged on an unusual pitching plan that featured Ray Kerr as the opener and Chris Sale handling the final four outs.
Kerr entered the winner-take-all contest with only 18⅓ innings pitched during the season. The 32-year-old southpaw came through when the Braves needed him most, throwing 3⅓ scoreless innings against Philadelphia's dangerous lineup. He allowed only one hit, a Kyle Schwarber single, in the opening inning while retiring Trea Turner and Alec Bohm and striking out Bryce Harper.
Kerr continued to keep the Phillies off the scoreboard until the fourth inning. After Schwarber walked and Harper was retired on a force play, manager Walt Weiss went to the bullpen. Kerr's performance prevented Philadelphia's top hitters from getting another full look at bulk reliever Grant Holmes.
“I could talk about Ray Kerr for the next two hours,” said Sale after the victory. “I've said this in every interview, I encourage every single person to read about his story.
“He's got an incredible story. You want to talk about resilience. Ray Kerr is what this team is this year, and he embodies everything that a professional athlete should be in terms of resilient, never giving up, never backing down.
“We don't win this game without him, and again, like I said, as much as I can say about him and this team, he fully went with what this team means and putting everything you have on the line to win a game. You're talking about a winner-take-all game.”
Article Continues Below#Braves pitcher Chris Sale raved about Ray Kerr post celebration: pic.twitter.com/g6oj5XNKMk
— Baillie Burmaster (@baillie_burm) October 2, 2026
Atlanta gave Kerr an early cushion when Michael Harris II launched a three-run homer in the bottom of the first. Ozzie Albies added a home run in the fifth, and Matt Olson supplied another run in the seventh as the Braves built a 6-0 advantage.
The Phillies eventually threatened in the eighth. Derek Hill tripled to begin the inning before Trea Turner brought him home with a sacrifice fly. With Schwarber and Harper still looming, Weiss turned to Sale.
The decision came despite Sale throwing 6⅓ innings in Game 1 just two days earlier. The 37-year-old ace, who had already recorded 200 strikeouts during the season, entered in the eighth, struck out Harper, then logged two more strikeouts to finish the ninth and secure the series win.
Atalanta has only two traditional playoff starters available in Sale and Tyler Mahle, making unconventional pitching strategies necessary.
It was only the fourth time since 2000 that the Braves had won their opening postseason series. Atlanta had reached the playoffs 16 times during that period but had won multiple series in the same postseason only in 2020 and 2021.
Now, the Braves move on to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series. Atlanta defeated Los Angeles five times in six regular-season meetings. Game 1 is scheduled for Saturday in Los Angeles, with the series returning to Truist Park for at least one game beginning Tuesday.