The Atlanta Braves edged the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 1 of the MLB postseason on Sept. 29 at Truist Park in Atlanta. The thriller opened this postseason series two days before October, giving Atlanta the first win of the series at Truist Park.

What happened

Atlanta beat Philadelphia in the series opener at Truist Park in Atlanta on Sept. 29. The Game 1 matchup launched the MLB postseason for the Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies, with Atlanta securing the result of the series opener at Truist Park.

The opener was played at Truist Park, placing Game 1 in Atlanta from the start of the series. With the Sept. 29 date falling two days before October, the Braves and Phillies opened postseason play in September, and Atlanta closed Game 1 with the win and the early lead.

Why it matters

A Game 1 win gives Atlanta the early lead in the series and control of the opening swing. For the Braves, that opening victory establishes the initial advantage of the postseason series, with Philadelphia now chasing from behind after the Sept. 29 result at Truist Park.

For Philadelphia, the Game 1 loss shifts the pressure to the road response. The Phillies must now even the series on the road to avoid an 0-2 hole, making the next game in Atlanta the pivotal early test of the series for Philadelphia.

The value of a postseason opener comes from how it sets the early terms of the series, because the Game 1 winner holds the early lead while the Game 1 loser faces the urgency of avoiding a deeper deficit. In this series, that dynamic favors Atlanta after Truist Park hosted the Sept. 29 opener, and it frames Philadelphia's road task in clear terms.

What to watch next

The series continues Wednesday with Philadelphia at Atlanta at 2:00 PM ET from Truist Park on NBC. The next game of the series stays at Truist Park in Atlanta, keeping the Phillies on the road at Atlanta for the immediate follow-up to Game 1.

Philadelphia's objective is to even the series on the road before an 0-2 hole becomes a possibility. Atlanta's objective is to build on the early lead and control of the opening swing earned with the Sept. 29 Game 1 win at Truist Park.

With Game 1 complete at Truist Park in Atlanta on Sept. 29, attention turns to the Wednesday 2:00 PM ET start on NBC. Philadelphia at Atlanta from Truist Park will determine whether the series moves forward even or with Atlanta still holding the advantage established in the opener.