The Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies face off in a winner-take-all Game 3 of the Wild Card series on Thursday at Truist Park in Atlanta, Ga.
On Thursday morning, the Braves announced that left-hander Ray Kerr would start Game 3. And it didn’t take long for Braves fans to show their frustration.
didn’t do anything to improve the rotation now our season relies on Ray Kerr thanks AA https://t.co/LDEXUatGlH
— Ethan (@EthanWoodall26) October 1, 2026
LMAO. 18 innings. 9 games. No starts.
— JDfromNY (@JDfromNY206) October 1, 2026
Good luck against LA Philly fans. See ya next year. https://t.co/1TkrX0OUTL
See you boys in '27 https://t.co/ek1e29U8NX
— President Airbud (@Airbudburner) October 1, 2026
Remember in the off-season when I said we need to add a starting pitcher?
— T.J. Lauerman 🧢 (@ThatSportsGamer) October 1, 2026
Yeah, this is exactly why. https://t.co/p6aC7zoN06
It was a good season https://t.co/tFSKQJvebk
— 22 (@twentytwoshoota) October 1, 2026
Ray Kerr is a 32-year-old left-hander. He appeared in just 9 games this season, throwing 18.1 innings with a 1.47 ERA.
However, he had success recently against the Phillies. Kerr got the start on September 13 and threw three scoreless innings, allowing just one hit. On September 5, he tossed 3.1 scoreless innings with one hit, so maybe manager Walt Weiss is hoping for that same success.
Ray Kerr performed very well against the Phillies this year over two relief appearances, totaling 6 1/3 scoreless innings while holding them to 2-for-20 and 5 strikeouts.
— Darius Hayes (@dhayessports37) October 1, 2026
I Expect him to be the opener with Grant Holmes following him after. #bravescountry https://t.co/Z6jg63v6Tp
Chris Sale got the start for Atlanta in the 5-3 win in Game 1, and Tyler Mahle tossed seven innings of one-run ball in Game 2, although the Phillies manufactured a magnificent comeback to win in extra innings. Mahle was acquired in August.
The Braves’ starting pitching depth has been thin with injuries to Spencer Strider and Spencer Schwellenbach.
If it works out, Weiss will be viewed as a hero. If not, it could be a long offseason. The winner moves on to face the Los Angeles Dodgers in the NLDS.
