The Atlanta Braves are going to Los Angeles.

Michael Harris II’s three-run homer in the first inning set the tone Thursday night as the Braves beat the Philadelphia Phillies 6-2 in the decisive Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series at Truist Park. Atlanta, which used six pitchers on the night, will open a best-of-five National League Division Series against the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on Saturday.

Harris launched a 387-foot shot off Phillies starter Aaron Nola after Ronald Acuna Jr. and Matt Olson drew back-to-back walks. Surprise opener Ray Kerr delivered 3⅓ scoreless innings, allowing just one hit.

In the fourth, Ozzie Albies followed Austin Riley’s walk with a 419-foot two-run homer off Zack Wheeler, who had entered in relief, to make it 5-0.

Philadelphia got on the board in the sixth on Kyle Schwarber’s single, Bryce Harper’s double and a groundout, then added another run in the eighth when pinch-hitter Derek Hill tripled and scored on a sacrifice fly. But Olson’s 416-foot solo homer in the seventh had already put the game out of reach.

Chris Sale, Atlanta’s Game 1 starter, came out of the bullpen to record the final four outs. He allowed a leadoff single in the ninth, then struck out the side to end it.

It was Atlanta’s first win in a winner-take-all playoff game since Game 7 of the 1996 National League Championship Series, snapping a six-game losing streak in such games. It was also the Braves’ first postseason series victory since winning the 2021 World Series.

The Braves now head west to face a Dodgers pitching staff that has been resting since Sunday — while Atlanta must find a Game 1 starter after emptying its bullpen on Thursday.

Sources: USA Today (2026-10-01), west42sports (2026-10-01), NBC Sports (2026-10-01)