Braves Eliminate Phillies in Wild Card Series, Mattingly’s Future Unclear

The Atlanta Braves eliminated the Philadelphia Phillies from the postseason Thursday, beating them 6-2 in Game 3 of the National League Wild Card Series. The loss ended Philadelphia’s 2026 season after the team won once in the three-game series. The Phillies had a chance to advance after winning Game 2, but Atlanta took the decisive game behind home runs from Michael Harris II and Ozzie Albies. Harris hit a three-run homer in the first inning off Aaron Nola, and Albies added a two-run shot against Zack Wheeler. Philadelphia could not recover from the early deficit. The result left the future of interim manager Don Mattingly unresolved. Asked after the game about returning to the role, Mattingly said he was not ready to discuss his own future and wanted the organization to make decisions that would set the team up for success. The Phillies had not announced a decision in the supplied accounts. Reports that Mattingly could leave or take an advisory role were not confirmed by the team. Mattingly said he had not discussed the matter with general manager Dave Dombrowski. His status therefore remains an open question as Philadelphia begins its offseason.