Braves initiate exorcism with Austin Riley’s huge homer, 5-3 win over Phillies in NLWC Game 1
The Atlanta Braves defeated the Philadelphia Phillies 5-3 in Game 1 of the National League Wild Card series. Austin Riley hit a decisive three-run home run to secure the win after a back-and-forth contest.
Why it matters
This game represents a significant momentum shift in a high-stakes postseason series between two major MLB rivals.
The Braves have not had a good time playing the Phillies in the postseason recently. Austin Riley had a nightmarish 2026 season. While the end of this story isn’t yet set down in ink, the first intonations of a ritual chant could be heard on Tuesday afternoon, as Riley hit a monstrously-important three-run shot and the Braves grabbed the driver’s seat in their three-game set.
Before we get to a full recounting of events, it’s “important” to internalize that this was a crazy back-and-forth affair. The Phillies jumped ahead, the Braves tied it, the Braves jumped ahead, then the Phillies jumped ahead, and then BAM, Austin Riley made his way to the top rope, and delivered a knockout below. (Can you knock out demons? Ask Doom Guy, I don’t know. Why don’t they just talk to the Phillies?)
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