2023 NL Division Series Preview: Phillies vs. Braves Preview

The Philadelphia Phillies (Postseason: 2-0) and Atlanta Braves (Regular Season: 104-58) will renew their NL East rivalry beginning Saturday night in the best-of-five games 2023 National League Division Series.  Saturday’s game from Truist Park in Cobb County, GA will mark the 14th time the two have met during the 2023 MLB season and is a rematch of the 2022 National League Division Series, which the Phillies won 3-1 on their way to the 2022 World Series.  Buckle up for what is bound to be a classic NL East slugfest.

Here’s a preview of the 2023 NL Division Series, Phillies vs. Braves, including how they got here, things to watch, betting odds, matchups and more.

How They Got Here

Philadelphia Phillies

• The Phillies finished 2023 MLB regular season with a 90-72 record, good enough for 2nd place in the NL East and the top NL Wild Card spot (4th seed in the NL Postseason bracket).  As the top NL Wild Card team, the Phillies hosted the 2023 NL Wild Card Series at Citizens Bank Park against the Miami Marlins.  Thanks to stellar starting pitching from Zack Wheeler and Aarond Nola combined with timely hitting, the Phillies dispatched the Marlins in two games to advance to the 2023 NLDS for the second consecutive season.
  • • NL Wild Card Series: PHI def. MIA 2-0

Atlanta Braves

• The Braves finished the 2023 MLB regular season with a 104-58 record, good enough for the best record in baseball and their sixth consecutive NL East championship.  Atlanta clinched a postseason berth in on September 10 and the NL East crown a week later in Philadelphia of all places and was awarded the No. 1 seed in the NL postseason.  In an effort to keep momentum, the Braves have welcomed fans to Truist Park for a series of simulated games while awaiting their NLDS opponent.  The Braves will have had a six-day break by first pitch of the NLDS on Saturday.
  • • Last Game: Sunday, October 1- ATL-9 | WSH-10

Five Things to Watch for in the NLDS

• Can the Phils pitching slowdown Atlanta’s powerful offense?
• Is Braves SP Max Fried healthy? The lefty has been dealing with a blister issue on his left index finger.
• Both teams have question marks in their rotation beyond their set No. 1 and No. 2 pitchers.
• Does Atlanta tweak their rotation to keep Spencer Strider from pitching in the raucous environment at Citizens Bank Park?
• Can the Phillies carry momentum into the NLDS? Can Atlanta pick up where they left off after clinching a Postseason berth in mid-September?

2023 MLB Postseason Betting Odds from BetMGM

Philadelphia Phillies Postseason Betting Odds	Odds	Play
To Win the World Series	+800
To Win the National League	+375

2023 World Series Odds from FanGraphs

• Braves– 27.5%

• Phillies– 11.7%

Phillies vs. Braves: NLDS Projections from FanGraphs

• Braves % to Win the NLDS- 61.3%

• Phillies % to Win the NLDS- 38.7%

Phillies vs. Braves: Probable Starting Pitchers

NLDS Game 1: Saturday, October 7 | 6:07 PM/EDT

• • PHI Ranger Suarez (4-6, 4.18 ERA) vs. ATL Spencer Strider (20-5, 3.86 ERA)

NLDS Game 2: Monday, October 9 | 6:07 PM/EDT

• • PHI Zack Wheeler (Postseason: 1-0, 1.35 ERA) vs. Max Fried (8-1, 2.55 ERA)

NLDS Game 3: Wednesday, October 11 | TBD

• • ATL Bryce Elder or Other vs. PHI Aaron Nola (Postseason: 1-0, 0.00 ERA)

NLDS Game 4: Thursday, October 12 | TBD (if necessary)

• • ATL Spencer Strider or Other vs. PHI Taijuan Walker or Cristopher Sanchez or Ranger Suarez or Other

NLDS Game 5: Saturday, October 14 | TBD (if necessary)

• • PHI Zack Wheeler vs. ATL Max Fried or Other

Phillies vs. Braves: 2023 Offensive Leaders (Regular Season)

Phillies vs. Braves: 2023 Pitching Leaders (Regular Season)

Note: Pitching Stats Are For Starters.

Phillies vs. Braves: 2023 Head-to-Head

• Atlanta won the 2023 season series, 8-5.
• Seven-games were decided by 2-runs or less.
• Four-games went to extra innings (ATL 3-1).

Phillies vs. Braves: Postseason History

• Atlanta and Philadelphia have met twice in the Postseason.
  • 1993 National League Wild Card Series (PHI 4-2)
  • 2022 National League Division Series (PHI 3-1)
• The Phillies have won both Postseason series against Atlanta.

1993 National League Championship Series

• Game 1: ATL- 3 | PHI-4 (10)
  • WP: Williams (1-0) | LP: McMichael (0-1)
• Game 2: ATL-14 | PHI-3
  • WP: Maddox (1-0) | LP: Greene (0-1)
• Game 3: PHI-4 | ATL-9
  • WP: Glavine (1-0) | LP: Mullholland (0-1)
• Game 4: PHI-2 | ATL-1
  • WP: Jackson (1-0) | LP: Smoltz (o-1) | SV: Williams (1)
• Game 5: PHI-4 | ATL-3 (10)
  • WP- Williams (2-0) | LP: Wohlers (0-1) | SV: Andersen (1)
• Game 6: ATL-3 | PHI-6
  • WP: Greene (1-1) | LP: Maddox (1-1) | SV: Williams (2)

2022 National League Division Series

• Game 1: PHI-7 | ATL-6
  • WP: Dominguez (1-0) | LP: Fried (0-1)
• Game 2: PHI-0 | ATL-3
  • WP: Wright (1-0) | LP: Wheeler (0-1) | SV: Jansen (1)
• Game 3: ATL-1 | PHI-9
  • WP: Nola (1-0) | LP: Strider (0-1)
• Game 4: ATL-3 | PHI-8
  • WP: Hand (1-0) | LP: Morton (0-1)