MLB Playoff Scores October 1, 2026: Braves Eliminate Phillies

Three Atlanta home runs decided the final Wild Card Series, completing the Division Series field.

The MLB playoff score from October 1, 2026 sent the Atlanta Braves into the National League Division Series. Michael Harris II, Ozzie Albies and Matt Olson homered as Atlanta defeated Philadelphia 6-2 in the decisive third game of their Wild Card Series.

Atlanta will face the Los Angeles Dodgers in a best-of-five NLDS. Meanwhile, the Phillies’ season ended one round earlier than it had in each of the previous four years.

The final score, game details and official pitching decisions were verified against MLB’s October 1 scoreboard and the official game story.

Atlanta Braves 6, Philadelphia Phillies 2

Michael Harris II delivered the first and most damaging swing. His three-run homer in the opening inning gave Atlanta immediate control and put Philadelphia starter Aaron Nola under heavy pressure.

First, Kyle Schwarber singled in the top of the inning but remained stranded. Then, Harris drove a low Nola pitch over the right-field wall in the bottom half. The blast gave the Braves a 3-0 advantage before Philadelphia could settle into the elimination game.

Ray Kerr, making his postseason debut, worked 3⅓ scoreless innings as Atlanta’s opener. Although he did not pitch long enough to qualify for the victory, he allowed the Braves to build their bullpen plan around an early lead.

Atlanta extended that lead in the fourth. Ozzie Albies hit a two-run homer off Zack Wheeler, who entered from Philadelphia’s bullpen after Nola’s abbreviated start. Consequently, the Phillies trailed 5-0 before recording their first run.

Philadelphia finally scored in the sixth when Alec Bohm brought home Schwarber with a groundout. However, Matt Olson restored Atlanta’s five-run margin with a solo homer in the seventh. Trea Turner added a sacrifice fly in the eighth, but the Phillies never mounted a sustained rally.

Grant Holmes earned the win after following Kerr. Meanwhile, Chris Sale recorded the final four outs on one day of rest. Sale struck out Bryce Harper to end the eighth and then retired the side in the ninth, finishing Atlanta’s first winner-take-all postseason victory since 1996.

Overall, six Braves pitchers held Philadelphia to two runs and six hits. Atlanta also snapped a six-game losing streak in elimination games. The Braves now advance to face the defending champion Dodgers, while Philadelphia enters an offseason with questions about its roster and interim manager Don Mattingly. MLB game story and highlights

Winning pitcher: Grant Holmes (1-0)
Losing pitcher: Aaron Nola (0-1)

October 1 MLB Playoff Score at a Glance

• Atlanta Braves 6, Philadelphia Phillies 2 — Braves win series 2-1

2026 MLB Division Series Matchups

• American League: New York Yankees vs. Tampa Bay Rays
• American League: Chicago White Sox vs. Cleveland Guardians
• National League: Atlanta Braves vs. Los Angeles Dodgers
• National League: San Diego Padres vs. Milwaukee Brewers

Photo credit: The Battery Atlanta photograph by Clayton Malquist via Unsplash, used under the Unsplash License.