Phillies-Braves Game 4: Start time, channel, how to watch and stream MLB playoffs

All the Phillies need is a win Thursday to eliminate the Atlanta Braves from the MLB playoffs and punch their ticket to the National League Championship Series for a second straight season.

The Phillies lead the Braves 2-1 in their best-of-five divisional series, with Game 4 scheduled for Thursday at Citizens Bank Park at 8:07 p.m.

Why so late? Because the Phillies and Braves are the only teams playing. If the Phillies defeat the Braves in Game 4, they’ll face the Arizona Diamondbacks in the National League Championship Series and have home-field advantage. If they lose, they’ll travel back to Atlanta to face the Braves in a win-or-go-home Game 5 on Saturday night.

» READ MORE: Phillies-Braves Game 4: Live updates

Everyone is talking about Bryce Harper’s two-homer night during Wednesday’s win, where he stared down Orlando Arcia both times around the bases after reports the Braves shortstop mocked him following the Phillies’ loss in Game 2. Harper’s gaze at Arcia was captured perfectly by photographer Derik Hamilton.

“Once I looked at the back of the camera and saw it was in focus, I knew it was done,” Hamilton told The Athletic. “I knew it was an iconic shot.”

“I can’t control where he looks,” Arcia told reporters after the game through a translator, adding he didn’t intend for Harper to hear his remarks.

“When you’re in the clubhouse, I was just under the impression you could say what you wanted,” Arcia said. “He wasn’t supposed to hear.”

Arcia’s comments shut down arguments made by Braves radio announcers Jim Powell and Joe Simpson, who claimed during their broadcast there was no proof the Braves shortstop taunted Harper. They also weren’t happy about a gesture Harper made as he crossed home plate after this second home run Wednesday.

“Again gave the throat-slashing sign, which given today’s climate around the world, I’m not sure that’s quite what anybody wants to see,” Simpson said.

Here’s everything you need to know to watch Game 4 of the Phillies-Braves series:

Game 4 of Phillies-Braves is scheduled to begin at 8:07 p.m. Eastern on TBS and truTV.

Calling the game will be play-by-play announcer Brian Anderson and analyst Jeff Francoeur. Matt Winer will report from Citizens Bank Park.

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

Longtime Phillies announcers Scott Franzke and Larry Andersen will continue to call all the action on 94.1 WIP. They’re joined by Tom McCarthy, the longtime television voice of the team on NBC Sports Philadelphia. 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.

The Phillies will turn to lefty Ranger Suarez (4-6, 4.18 ERA) to close out the divisional series and send the Braves home.

Suarez and the Phillies defeated the Braves in Game 1, allowing no runs and just one hit in 3⅔ innings. He’ll likely be yanked early again Thursday night in favor of the Phillies’ well-rested bullpen.

The Braves will counter with Spencer Strider (20-5, 3.86 ERA), who lost to the Phillies in Game 1 despite allowing just one run and five hits over seven innings while striking out eight batters.

“Strider is tough, man. He’s one of the best in baseball. Possible Cy Young this year,” Harper said after Game 3. “I don’t know if I’ve ever said that about a pitcher or anything like that. But that’s what makes our fans the best in the world. And we’ll go out there and play our game and understand that we just have to play our game and not worry about anything else.”

On Thursday, Phillies Pregame Live will air at 7 p.m. on NBC Sports Philadelphia+, 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.

TBS has its own pregame coverage beginning at 7 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.

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