The Philadelphia Phillies and Atlanta Braves have been long-time rivals, in particular after the realignment that took place ahead of the 1994 MLB season that put them together in the same division. That rivalry has since heated up after meeting head-to-head in the postseason for each of the past two years.
As a result, who wouldn’t want to see the Phillies and Braves battle it out once again this season in the playoffs? Well, if you are the Phillies, there are many reasons why they would crave for a rematch with the Braves, but from a bigger-picture perspective, it might not be the best of ideas.
3 reasons Phillies should embrace playoff rematch with Braves, 1 they shouldn’t
Let’s take a look at three reasons why the Phillies should welcome such a matchup and one reason why it’s best that they avoid it.
The Phillies-Braves head-to-head postseason record
Although the Phillies and Braves haven’t met in the playoffs as much as one would think, when they have met, the Phillies have held the upper hand each time. In total, Philadelphia and Atlanta have played each other in the postseason just three times (since the Braves moved to Atlanta). It just so happened that in each instance, the Phillies achieved something significant as a result.
In 1993, the Phillies defeated the Braves 4-2 in the NLCS to prevent Atlanta from reaching the World Series for the third consecutive season at the time.
In 2022, the Phillies took the NLDS 3-1 to halt the Braves in their quest to repeat as World Series champions after their win in 2021.
Just last season in 2023, the Phillies knocked the Braves out of the postseason for a second consecutive year in the NLDS by taking the series 3-1 once again. In doing so, the Phillies took out the league’s top offensive team who also happened to sport the best record during the regular season.
With a lifetime 3-0 playoff mark against the Braves, the Phillies would have all the confidence and momentum in facing them if they were to meet once again as they aim to keep the unbeaten streak going.