Braves Nation Breathes Collective Sigh of Relief

That whistling sound you may have heard Monday night through the southeast was likely the sigh of relief breathed out by Altanta Braves fans watching their team's dramatic comeback win over the Philadelphia Phillies.

Braves fan knew if their team fell down two games to none in the National League Division Series that Los Bravos would likelly be playoff burnt toast, as was the case last year against the same Phillies in the NLDS.

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Now, after two-run homers by Travis D'Arnaud and Austin Riley in the seventh and eighth frames and an incredible game-ending double play by center fielder Michael Harris, the Braves must win two of the next three games to advance to the National League Championship Series, where they would face the winner of the Diamondbacks/Dodgers series which the D-backs surprisingly lead 2-0.

Whether the Dodgers rally and win three straight in the best of five or the Snakes hold serve, the Braves will have home field advantage as long as they stay alive, which is big.

Problem: the Phillies aren't going away, and they are still ticked off the Braves celebrated clinching the National League East on their field last month.

The Braves are expected to start either 12-game winner Bryce Elder or 20-year old  rookie A.J. Smith-Shawyer, but manager Brian Snitker wasn't saying which way he was leaning as of Tuesday. The Phils are expected to start ace Aaron Nola, a former LSU star.

The first pitch will be thrown shortly after 4 p.m. CT, and the winner of game three will have a decided advantage, even if the series goes to the full five games.