Phillies name Aaron Nola starter for Game 3 against Braves
Aaron Nola will start Game 3 of the series with the Atlanta Braves after four days of rest, and Zack Wheeler is expected to be available from the bullpen on three days' rest.
Aaron Nola has been slated to start Game 3 of the series against the Atlanta Braves, according to a major-league source. The former Phillies ace will be on full rest, four days after a brief one-inning outing on short rest last Saturday. Interim manager Don Mattingly said the team will employ an “all hands on deck” pitching approach for the elimination game.
Zack Wheeler, who threw the regular-season finale on three days’ rest, is expected to be available to follow Nola from the bullpen. The club may also consider using reliever Jesús Luzardo, though his availability on two days’ rest after a recent shoulder injury remains uncertain.
Nola, who has faced Atlanta 41 times in his career with a 3.71 ERA, entered the series with a 4.50 ERA in three starts this season. He noted he felt “a little bit more sore” after his short-rest start but felt good after a bullpen session, saying he could throw 40 to 50 pitches in that setting.
In previous postseason matchups, Nola delivered six innings of one unearned run in the 2022 NL division series and 5⅔ innings of two runs in the 2023 series, with the Phillies winning both games. Rookie Andrew Painter, who earned the win in Game 2, will remain in the bullpen for Game 3.