MLB5 hours ago2 minute read

Bryce Harper and Phillies Face Another Early Postseason Exit

The Philadelphia Phillies are out of the playoffs after a 6-2 loss to the Braves, leaving Bryce Harper and his teammates to face another year of disappointment.

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Another October Disappointment

The Philadelphia Phillies are done for the year. A 6-2 loss to the Atlanta Braves in Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series ended their season on Thursday night. For a team with high hopes, the early exit hurts.

"You're here to do business. You're here to win games, and we didn't do that," Bryce Harper said after the game.

The Phillies forced Game 3 after hitting three home runs late in Game 2. But they fell behind early on Thursday and could not recover. This loss marks the fifth year in a row that Philadelphia has been knocked out of the postseason. They are still searching for their first World Series title since 2008.

A Trend in the Wrong Direction

The Phillies have a strong core with Harper, Kyle Schwarber, J.T. Realmuto, Zack Wheeler, and Aaron Nola. This group has averaged 91 wins over the last five years, but they have not won a championship.

Since reaching the World Series in 2022, they have gone backward. They lost in the National League Championship Series the next year, and then suffered consecutive losses in the Division Series. This year, they did not even make it past the wild card round.

The Braves took advantage of their home field edge. Ray Kerr pitched 3 1/3 scoreless innings in his first career postseason game, and Michael Harris II hit a home run that scored three runs off Aaron Nola in the first inning. That early blow was too much for the Phillies to overcome.

Interim manager Don Mattingly, who took over in April after a 9-18 start, did not want to talk about his future. He said he loved being in Philadelphia but wants the organization to evaluate what to do moving forward.

What it means for the next game

Atlanta Braves at Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB, Sat, 03 Oct): Los Angeles Dodgers win 62%, Atlanta Braves win 38%; projected score Los Angeles Dodgers 5, Atlanta Braves 3. Our safest pick: Braves +3.5.

Atlanta Braves at Los Angeles Dodgers (MLB, Mon, 05 Oct): Los Angeles Dodgers win 47%, Atlanta Braves win 53%; projected score Los Angeles Dodgers 4, Atlanta Braves 4. Our safest pick: Braves +2.5.