Takeaways from Atlanta's NLDS-opening loss to the Phillies on Saturday night

The Atlanta Braves dropped game one of the National League Divisional Series, 3-0, to the Philadelphia Phillies on Saturday night. Here's what you need to know about the contest:

Spencer Strider gave Atlanta a quality start

Spencer Strider entered this Phillies matchup with two completely different track records - a perfect 8-0 record in eight regular season appearances with a 1.90 ERA, but also a disastrous postseason start last season where Philly tagged him for five runs in only 2.1 innings en route to a 9-1 Philadelphia win.

Tonight was more of the regular season Spencer Strider.

The righty struck out eight in his seven innings, including an MLB-record 22 swings and misses (per the radio broadcast).

For the game, Strider finished with a 37% CSW (Called Strikes + Whiffs), with nine whiffs on his fastball (out of 51 pitches) and 13 on his slider (out of 37 pitches). He threw six changeups in his 94 pitches, and had 63 strikes in those 94 pitches.

But Bryce Harper got his tonight

Harper scored both runs for Philadelphia in this one.

In the 3rd inning, Harper walked and then Strider committed an error. The righty overthrew the 6'4 Matt Olson on a pickoff attempt at first base, which advanced Harper to 2nd. He was subsequently able to score just ahead of the throw after a Bryson Stott single to left field for the 1st run of the game.

Harper came out in the 6th and doubled the lead, taking Strider deep to right on a first pitch slider. The homer came off of Harper's bat at 115.3 mph, the hardest-hit ball of Strider's career (his previous high allowed was 111.8 mph).

115.3 MPH off the bat on this Bryce Harper laser! #Postseason pic.twitter.com/YszfcxNEWe
— MLB (@MLB) October 7, 2023

Philly picked up a 3rd run on an 8th inning (phantom) catcher's interference call with the bases loaded - Reliever Pierce Johnson was essentially iced as there was as delay on the field for the field personnel to pick up various cans and bottles that were thrown onto the field by angry fans who saw the replay and didn't see the catcher's interference.

“Catcher interference.” 🧐

(🎥 via @BRWalkoff) pic.twitter.com/Yr0jrDcpWb
— Bally Sports: Braves (@BravesOnBally) October 8, 2023

Atlanta's offense couldn't figure out the Philly pitching

We talked this morning about how Atlanta crushed lefties but didn't have great track records against Phillies starter Ranger Suarez.

Turns out that wasn't very relevant for long.

Suarez didn't allow a hit until the 4th inning, where Matt Olson singled with two outs. After Ozzie Albies reached behind Olson to put two runners on with two outs, Philly manager Rob Thomson pulled Suarez for reliever Jeff Hoffman.

Hoffman walked Marcell Ozuna but struck out Michael Harris II to escape the jam.

The strikeouts were the name of the game for Atlanta - Harris struck out with the bases loaded to end the 4th, and Atlanta got runners on the corners with only one out in the 5th but strikeouts of both Ronald Acuña Jr and Austin Riley got Philly out of jams without allowing runs to score.

Atlanta got balls into play with runners on 1st and 2nd with no outs in the home half of the 8th, but a sac fly and a double play ended the threat without any runs crossing the plate.

For the game, Atlanta stranded seven runners and was 0-5 with runners in scoring position.

Philly ultimately used seven different pitchers to finish this one, with Sunday's off day meaning they could empty the pen without fear of not having someone available for game two in a key moment. Outside of Suarez, no one pitched more than one inning.

It's only the third shut out of the season for Atlanta - they were held scoreless once each in April (April 19th vs Padres) and May (May 12th vs Toronto) - and the first shut out of the season in Truist Park.

So what's next for the Atlanta Braves?

You get to sit with this one for a day - game two isn't until Monday. LHP Max Fried takes the mound for Atlanta, facing off against RHP Zack Wheeler. First pitch is scheduled for 6:07 PM ET, and the game will be broadcast on TBS.

Stay locked in to Braves Today for all your coverage of the National League Divisional Series and Atlanta's 2023 postseason!

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