The Phillies sent the NL Wild Card Series to a deciding Game 3 on Wednesday night, squeezing past the Braves, 4-3, in 10 innings and finishing it with a postseason first behind the plate.
J.T. Realmuto called for a successful ABS challenge on the final pitch, turning an initial ball call into strike three and preserving Philadelphia’s season. The reversal gave Andrew Painter the last out of a tense bottom of the 10th.
Quick facts
- Philadelphia beat Atlanta 4-3 in 10 innings in NL Wild Card Series Game 2.
- Realmuto initiated the first game-ending ABS challenge in postseason play.
- Painter worked his third relief inning and protected a one-run lead.
- Game 3 is scheduled for Thursday on NBC and Peacock, with the start time dependent on the other active series.
The final sequence began with Dom Smith coming off the bench for Atlanta. With two runners aboard and two outs, Painter got Smith to miss consecutive changeups and moved ahead 0-2.
Painter then went inside with a fastball. Plate umpire Adam Beck ruled it a ball, but Realmuto used Philadelphia’s remaining challenge. The automated review overturned the call, making it a strike and ending the game.
Painter said the club tries to hold a challenge for Realmuto when the game reaches a defining spot. The catcher understands the situation, he said, and has earned the trust to make that decision late.
Realmuto’s record with the Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System has been strong throughout its first regular season. The 13-year veteran converted 81 percent of his challenges, the top rate among catchers who made at least 20, and he ranks third in Statcast’s Overturns vs. Expected measure.
Philadelphia’s catchers, led by Realmuto, have been the most effective group in baseball at getting calls changed. On Wednesday, that edge reached October and delivered the last strike the Phillies needed.
Game 3 will be played Thursday. Phillies-Braves is set for 2 p.m. ET unless it becomes the lone series still alive, or White Sox-Astros is the only other active matchup; in either case, Philadelphia and Atlanta will start at 8 p.m. ET on NBC and Peacock.
