The Phillies defeated the Atlanta Braves in an absolute thriller in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series to tie the series at one game apiece. That now forces a win-or-go-home Game 3 in Atlanta. This game defined the entire Phillies season in one game.
Now, I’m sure you think that is crazy to say, but Wednesday’s game was pure chaos and showed every struggle and peak of the Phillies season in one game.
The Starting Pitching Is the Strength of This Team
Coming into the season, the Phillies were going to have a strong rotation.
Christopher Sanchez emerged as arguably the best left-handed pitcher in the National League and was second in Cy Young voting in 2025. He pitched to a National League-leading 18 wins and a 2.91 ERA over 200 innings.
Jesus Luzardo was great for the Phillies in 2025 after coming over from Miami. He got a hefty contract extension and was a prime candidate to establish himself as one of the top left-handers in the National League. He absolutely did that, pitching to a 2.85 ERA this season and showing that 2025 was not a fluke.
Zack Wheeler is one of the best right-handed pitchers of this decade and was coming off thoracic outlet decompression surgery. There were questions about whether he would be the same Zack Wheeler and when he would return. He was absolutely the Zack Wheeler of old this season.
Aaron Nola is a solid No. 4 starter who is probably past his prime, but he can still be a very good fourth starter and pitched like it down the stretch.
Andrew Painter is a former top prospect and first-round pick who was once viewed as a future ace. More on him later.
The rotation that was considered one of the best in baseball was on display yesterday as Sanchez pitched 6⅔ innings and allowed three earned runs. If we are being honest, some better defense and it could have been just one earned run. More on that next.
Despite that, the starting pitching gave the Phillies a shot to win, and that is what we expected coming into the season. They delivered with their backs against the wall.
The Defensive Struggles
It was no secret that the Phillies were terrible defensively this season. They ranked near the bottom of the league in defensive runs saved.
Trea Turner was not very good after having a great 2025. The Luis Arraez trade forced Bryson Stott, one of the better defensive second basemen in baseball, to third base, Alec Bohm to first base and Bryce Harper back to right field, where he had not played since the beginning of the 2022 season.
All of them played much better overall defense in these positions, but they still were not very good.
In the seventh inning, that was on full display. Alec Bohm made the wrong decision by trying to get the lead runner at second base on a bunt attempt, and the runner was safe.
Shortly after, Bryce Harper misplayed a routine fly ball in the outfield, and a run scored. After that, a sacrifice fly put the Braves up 3-1 after the game had been tied at one.
Two small defensive mistakes could have wasted a gem from Sanchez and potentially ended the Phillies’ season.
The poor defense was something fans had complained about all year and had already cost the Phillies games this season.
Oh, but the offense had something to say about that.
How Far Can the Stars of the Lineup Take the Phillies?
The core of the Phillies lineup is getting older and has not gotten the job done in previous postseasons. Wednesday was not the same.
The top four hitters in the Phillies lineup accounted for all four runs.
Trea Turner, who has not been himself this season, hit a leadoff double, and Bryce Harper knocked him in to give the Phillies the lead. When the Phillies needed them the most, they came through.
Down by two in the eighth inning after two back-breaking errors, up came Kyle Schwarber. He hit a towering home run to the Chop House in right field to make it a 3-2 game.
Then came Bryce Harper, nicknamed “The Showman” for his ability to show up when it matters.
He came to bat with a brutal error hanging over his head and potentially his last at-bat of the season. However, he took a 1-1 slider from Dylan Lee and sent it into the right-field seats to tie the game at three.
The Phillies’ two best hitters gave them a pulse in the eighth inning and came through when they needed them.
But don’t forget about Alec Bohm, who quite possibly may be the most frustrating Phillie of the last 25 years.
A lanky fourth overall pick never quite became the player we all wanted him to be. But gosh darn it, he had himself a moment on Wednesday afternoon.
In the top of the 10th inning, he took Didier Fuentes deep to right field on what seemed like a jam shot that barely snuck over the right-field wall.
For all the frustrations Bohm has given us over the years, it is very difficult for us to be mad at him for extending the Phillies’ season and giving them a fighting chance against the Braves on Thursday night to move on to the NLDS.
Can They Get Hot at the Right Time?
The Phillies have been hot and cold for the entire season, starting well under .500 and having to fire their manager, Rob Thomson, before getting hot for two months after the change.
Then came the wild run they had in August and the slump of a September they just finished.
It seems like this team finally had the moment it needed to give itself some momentum and build on it.
If the Phillies can use this comeback to get the train moving, the sky is the limit for this team.
However, Game 3 will tell that story.
ANDREW FREAKING PAINTER
Oh, Mr. Painter, where do I even begin with you?
From a first-round pick and top prospect, to injuries getting in the way, to the disastrous 7.00 ERA he had in the first half of the season, the promise he showed in the second half of the year all led to this moment.
His first real relief appearance of his career came in the playoffs, with the game tied at three in the bottom of the eighth inning.
The weight of the season was in his hands, and he sure felt it to start.
Six straight balls.
After a Caleb Cotham mound visit, he settled in and pitched three scoreless innings to close out the game for the Phillies on the first ABS challenge to win in postseason history.
There are not enough words I can write to describe the growth this kid displayed. From looking lost on the mound at the beginning of the year to getting thrown into the fire in the postseason and delivering, Painter showed just how much he has grown.
Andrew Painter was supposed to be the X-factor in the Phillies’ rotation this year. This postseason, he had the opportunity to be that guy for the bullpen, and he delivered.
Let’s hope he has a few more chances in October.
The Phillies take on Atlanta at 8:15 p.m. Thursday in a win-or-go-home game. The Phillies will hand the ball to Aaron Nola.