Braves announce left-hander Ray Kerr to start against Phillies’ Aaron Nola in NL Wild Card Series

The Atlanta Braves have announced that left-hander Ray Kerr will make his first career postseason start against the Philadelphia Phillies in Thursday night's pivotal game of the NL Wild Card Series. Kerr will open the pitching for Atlanta, providing a much-needed offensive boost after a recent stretch of struggles for the team. Veteran right-hander Aaron Nola is set to take the mound for the Phillies, who were seeking to force a decisive game in a best-of-three series.

Nola finished the regular season with a 7-12 record and a 4.67 ERA. Braves right-hander Grant Holmes, with a 10-6 record and 3.44 ERA, will likely pitch in relief behind Kerr. Kerr, 32, was recalled by the Braves on August 16 and made his first major league appearance in over two years the following day. Following Tommy John surgery in 2024, Kerr did not pitch at all in 2025, but he posted a 1.47 ERA in nine games with Atlanta this season.

The Phillies edged the Braves 4-3 in 10 innings on Wednesday, putting the Braves in a critical position in the series.