National League Division Series: Phillies 3 Braves 0

 Phillies manager Rob Thomson rounded up his relievers after batting practice on Saturday. He wanted to give them a heads up.

“He told every reliever, ‘Go early to the bullpen,’” Phillies left-hander José Alvarado said. “I’m going crazy today. Not crazy, like aggressive. And the result? He made it, using a lot of relievers today.”

The 2023 Atlanta Braves, who posted the highest slugging percentage ever, the highest OPS+ ever and tied the MLB record for home runs, did not score against the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday night. That was a first for Atlanta at home this season. The Phillies, meanwhile, scored thrice; less than they'd like, but more than enough for a 3-0 win in Game 1 of the National League Division Series.

For the Braves, their first postseason game of the year began as a day of promise.

They'd waited patiently in the interim, staying fresh with scrimmage games this past week. But Saturday was opportunity No. 1 for a 104-win juggernaut to unleash its wrath on the rival who sent Atlanta packing last October. All summer long Atlanta's outrageously deep offense wreaked havoc upon anybody it shared a diamond with. Truist Park recorded its highest attendance ever. Braves fans were amped up. 

The Phillies now lead the best-of-three series 1-0. Historically, the team that wins Game 1 of a best-of-five has gone on to win the series 71% of the time. Sunday is an off-day and Philadelphia will give the ball to ace Zack Wheeler in Game 2 on Monday. Atlanta will start Max Fried, their ace, though he hasn't pitched since Sept. 21 because of a blister.

Atlanta won an MLB-best 104 games during the regular season. They must win Game 2 to avoid going to Citizens Bank Park down 2-0 in the NLDS.

The distance didn't deter the Burnett family who brought three generations from Oxford, Mississippi all the way to Truist Park to support their beloved Braves. While they were cautiously optimistic about the team's prospects, they told FOX 5 they were managing their expectations.

"Let’s not put the cart before the horse," John Burnett said. "Hopefully, fingers crossed, we’ll be back in a few weeks."

Game One didn't go as fans had hoped, resulting in a loss for the home team.

"Drove four hours to see a loss, but it’s okay, I had fun," 13-year-old Braves fan John Kirkpatrick said.

This is reminiscent of the 2012 NL Wild Card Game, when Braves fans littered the field with debris following a controversial infield fly rule call. In that game, the crowd was warned the Braves would have to forfeit due to unplayable conditions if they continued to throw debris on the field. Saturday's mess did not rise to that level.

The catcher interference stretched Philadelphia's lead to 3-0. The Phillies scored their first two runs on a Bryson Stott single and a Bryce Harper solo home run. Six Phillies relievers shut the Braves out across the final 5 1/3 innings. Game 1 was the first time since Aug. 28, 2021, that the Braves were shut out at home.

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Sarah H

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