Phillies choose Luzardo as Game 1 opener against Sale and Braves

Philadelphia will start Jesús Luzardo as an opener against Atlanta in Tuesday's National League Wild Card Series opener, MLB's Game 1 preview confirmed Monday. The plan gives the Phillies a left-hander to begin the best-of-three series, but it does not mean Luzardo is ready for a normal starter's workload after his left shoulder inflammation. Rookie Andrew Painter could enter behind him; the club has not announced an inning-by-inning script.

The matchup begins at 2 p.m. Eastern at Truist Park. Atlanta has named Chris Sale to start. He finished the regular season with a 2.16 ERA, third best in the majors, and a 2.08 ERA in four starts against Philadelphia, according to MLB. That gives the Braves a conventional ace opposite a Phillies staff still adapting to its final-week scramble.

Luzardo's only game action since Sept. 7 was unusually brief. On Sunday, he needed four pitches to retire three Rays hitters in the eighth inning of Philadelphia's 7-3 clinching win. He had missed the intervening weeks with shoulder inflammation and a scheduled simulated game Saturday was canceled by rain. Monday's opener announcement therefore resolves who takes the ball first, but his length remains uncertain.

Zack Wheeler had originally been lined up for Game 1. The Phillies used him Sunday to secure the final National League playoff spot, so he is unlikely to make a normal start Tuesday. MLB says Wheeler could be available for a possible Game 3. Aaron Nola worked on short rest Saturday, another reason the opening assignment changed. The Phillies may need Painter and their bullpen early if Luzardo is limited.

That relief work is consequential. MLB's preview identifies Alex McFarlane, Jonathan Bowlan and José Alvarado as recent late-inning options alongside closer Jhoan Duran, while noting the bullpen's struggles in September. Philadelphia's offense was tied for 29th in batting average and slugging percentage during the month, so a long early deficit against Sale would be particularly difficult to absorb.

The clubs have met in three previous postseason series, most recently when Philadelphia eliminated Atlanta in 2022 and 2023. This time, Luzardo's first few innings and the handoff behind him will test whether the Phillies can convert Sunday's relief appearance into a workable Game 1 plan.