These Braves are bound for glory: Kerr, Harris Punch NLDS tickets

On April 12, 1862, a group of 24 Union scouts—mostly volunteer soldiers, led by Pagan James Andrews—had led a movement in Big Shanty, Georgia, and headed north. The purpose was to throw the Union forces into Chattanooga, to destroy the railroad and telegraph lines they were going into. Andrews and his companions ran out of material less than 18 miles from the border; All the raiders were captured, and eight, including Andrew, were struck with axes.

Some 164 years later and 15 miles to the east, another nation of 20-odd warriors came from the north to attempt their heist. The Phillies had just stolen Game 2 of the Wild Card Series against the Braves, and the streak was repeated to beat them.

They are a little better than Andrew’s raiders. Michael Harris II put Atlanta ahead with a three-run home run in the first inning, and Ray Kerr turned in an improbable start that kept the Braves going the rest of the way to a 6-2 victory. Don Mattingly’s men have not been suspended, at least not yet. We’ll see what kind of reception they receive at home.