PHILADELPHIA -- Kevin Gausman tuned up for his first career postseason start and Ronald Acuna Jr. padded his credentials for the National League Rookie of the Year Award. But the Braves' bid for home-field advantage evaporated during the early stages of Sunday afternoon's 3-1 loss to the Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Braves entered the game knowing to get home-field advantage in the National League Division Series, they needed to win and have both the Dodgers and Rockies lose their respective regular-season finales.
Once the Dodgers and Rockies gained comfortable leads, Braves manager Brian Snitker opted to rest his regulars and get a feel for who he might want to have in the bullpen for the postseason.