Phillies' Nola Set to Start vs. Braves in NLDS Game 3

The Philadelphia Phillies will trust Aaron Nola with the start in Game 3 of the National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves on Wednesday.

The Braves did not announce a starting pitcher for Game 3 during Tuesday’s media availability.

Conversely, the Phillies settled on Nola shortly after they won their NL Wild Card series. Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Nola’s performance in the past few starts made his decision easy.

“Yeah, I think it's the command of his fastball. When he can get the fastball to his glove side, I think that's an indication,” Thomson said.

Nola has already made one postseason start. He clinched Game 2 of the NL Wild Card series against Miami, as he threw seven innings of shutout baseball and allowed just three hits.

In the postseason with Philadelphia he is 3-2 in six postseason starts.

But he’s facing a team that’s familiar with him, and that he’s familiar with when it comes to the Phillies’ NL East rivals.

Nola said it’s all about execution when it comes to facing a team where there is familiarity on both sides.

“We know how good they are,” Nola said. “It's obviously not going to be an easy one, but we gotta battle. I know we will and just gotta compete as best we can.

Nola went 12-9 with a 4.46 ERA in the regular season, one during which he had some ups and down in his performance.

But he’s tracked well lately.

He had been effective in his last seven games, with a 2-1 record and a 4.02 ERA. He has struck out 42 and walked six in 40.1 innings.

Phillies-Braves ALDS Schedule, Results

(Best-of-5 series, all times eastern)

Game 1: Philadelphia 3, Atlanta 0

Game 2: Atlanta 5, Philadelphia 4 (series tied, 1-1)

Game 3: Atlanta at Philadelphia, Wednesday, 5:07 p.m., TBS

Game 4: Atlanta at Philadelphia, Thursday, 6:07 p.m., TBS*

Game 5: Philadelphia at Atlanta, 6:07 p.m., Saturday, TBS*

*-if necessary