Phillies-Braves Game 3: Start time, channel, how to watch and stream MLB playoffs

The Phillies will take on the Atlanta Braves Wednesday in Game 3 of the National League Division Series, where two wins at Citizens Bank Park would send Philly to the next round of the MLB playoffs.

To say the Phillies enjoy home-field advance when playing in South Philly is an understatement. The team is 24-11 in the postseason at Citizens Bank Park, a winning percentage of .686, the best of any MLB team in any park that’s hosted at least 20 games. During last year’s playoff run, the Phillies went 6-2 at home, including two straight wins against the Braves in Games 3 and 4 that sent the team to the championship series.

“The atmosphere there is like no other,” Ronald Kamm, a sports psychiatrist and an associate professor in Drexel University’s School of Medicine, told Inquirer columnist Mike Sielski. “Normally, an opposing player will be focused on the players in front of him, maybe the players in the dugout. But really, the way the fans are the Bank, opposing players have to focus on what’s around them. There’s a natural feeling, in a playoff atmosphere particularly, of being surrounded.”

The weather should be just about perfect, with temperatures in the upper-60s at game time and practically no chance of rain in South Philly. Winds likely won’t be much of a factor, but thanks to the 5:07 p.m. start time, late-afternoon shadows could cause early issues for both team’s outfielders.

The Braves also might have given the Phillies a bit of added motivation Monday. Shortstop Orlando Arcia reportedly mocked Bryce Harper in the clubhouse multiple times after the Phillies star was thrown out at first base in Game 2 as part of an eighth-inning double play.

“I don’t think anybody needs any motivation right now,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said after the game. “But if that adds to our motivation, that’s great.”

Here’s everything you need to know to watch Game 3 of the Phillies-Braves series:

Game 2 of Phillies-Braves is scheduled to begin at 5:07 p.m. Eastern on TBS and truTV.

Calling the game will be play-by-play announcer Brian Anderson and analyst Jeff Francoeur, who played for both the Braves and Phillies during his 12-year MLB career. Matt Winer will report from Truist Park in Atlanta.

A Spanish broadcast of the game will air on MLB Network, with Fernando Álvarez on play-by-play alongside analyst Candy Maldonado.

While NBC Sports Philadelphia won’t be airing the games, longtime Phillies announcers Scott Franzke and Larry Andersen will continue to call all the action on 94.1 WIP. You can either tune in on the radio or stream it for free on the Audacy app.

Bill Kulik and Oscar Budejen will call Phillies-Braves in Spanish on La Unika 1680 AM.

Phillies-Braves will stream on the Max app, but you would need a subscription to both Max ($9.99 a month with ads) and the B/R Sports Add-On ($9.99 a month), though they are running a promo.

You also can stream the series on the TBS app, but you’ll need to log in with a cable subscription.

The games also will stream on any so-called skinny bundle that carries TBS, including YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and DirecTV Stream. Most offer a free trial.

You won’t be able to watch if you’re a Fubo subscriber, since the subscription service doesn’t carry any of Warner Bros. Discovery’s channels.

Taking the mound for the Phillies will be Aaron Nola (12-9, 4.46 ERA), pitching in what could be his final season in Philadelphia.

Nola faced this exact situation last season — starting Game 3 against the Braves in the NLDS tied 1-1 — and thrived, allowing no runs and just five hits as the Phillies won the game and ultimately the series.

While Nola’s season was shaky, he’s put together a string of quality starts since tweaking is pitching delivery last month. And he pitched well this season against the Braves with a 3.50 ERA over three starts.

Righty Bryce Elder will take the mound in Game 3 for the Atlanta Braves, the team announced Wednesday morning.

Elder was an All-Star this season but had a 5.26 ERA in his final 10 starts. He allowed four runs in just 3⅔ innings in a 6-5 loss to the Phillies on Sept. 20.

Earlier this season Elder had a stronger performance against the Phillies, allowing no runs in 7 innings in a no-decision the Braves won back in June.

» READ MORE: When do the Phillies unleash reliever Orion Kerkering?

On Wednesday, Phillies Pregame Live will air at 4 p.m., featuring Michael Barkann, Ricky Bottalico, Ben Davis, and former Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro, Jr. They’ll return for Phillies Postgame Live following the game on NBC Sports Philadelphia+ (NBC Sports Philadelphia will be airing the Sixers preseason game against the Boston Celtics beginning at 7 p.m.).

TBS has its own pregame coverage beginning at 4:30 p.m. Hosting the network’s studio coverage is veteran broadcaster Ernie Johnson, best known for his role on Inside the NBA. Joining him will be former Phillies star Jimmy Rollins, Hall of Famer Pedro Martinez, and three-time All-Star Curtis Granderson.

WIP will also offer pre- and postgame coverage, hosted by Gregg Murphy.

* — if needed. Games 4 and 5 would move to 8:07 p.m. if Diamondbacks vs. Dodgers is over.

On Tuesday night, the Texas Rangers completed a sweep of the Baltimore Orioles to advance to the American League Championship Series for the first time since 2011.

Here are the remaining games Wednesday: