The Atlanta Braves really need little added reason to hate the Philadelphia Phillies based on a rivalry that has no shortage of defining moments. The want to dominate the upcoming series is only fueled by the fact that the most recent defining moments with the two sides saw the Phillies bounce the Braves from the playoffs in the 2023 season, ending what was a historic offensive run for that version of the Braves. However, for Atlanta fans looking for even more reason to dislike the rival the team's manager change provided just that.
Veteran manager Don Mattingly replaced Rob Thomson at the end of April, returning to the National League East after his previous tenure with the Miami Marlins. The manager doesn't have many fans among the Atlanta faithful due to a history of Miami hitting Ronald Acuna Jr., and Mattingly defendingwhat appeared to be a clear shot.
During Mattingly's tenure with Miami, Acuna was hit by seven pitches, with the majority appearing to be clear shots at the dynamic lead-off hitter. The most famous being Jose Urena ending Acuna's lead-off homer streak by plunking Acuna in what was unquestionably a dirty play and one that started a long trend of Mattingly's teams hitting Acuna.
The fact that the former Miami manager went out of his way to defend his pitchers was a frustration and appeared to point to an old school manager hitting a dynamic player bringing energy to the game. No matter how you feel about the intent behind it, there is no question that Mattingly isn't a popular figure among Braves fans.
Braves Fans Have Yet Another Reason to Hate Philadelphia in Don Mattingly
Atlanta holds the all-time series record with well over 100 more career wins over Philadelphia and is looking to add to this total in a key series. The Phillies get the advantage of playing at home and will be unquestionably charged to attempt to make a push to take control of a division that Atlanta has held since the start of the 2026 season.
This is the clear focus and has the full attention of the Atlanta roster and fanbase as an important September stretch begins. Mattingly being a player within this simply points to another reason that Braves fans have to strongly dislike a franchise that remains within reach of Atlanta's division lead.
It will be interesting to watch whether or not the presence of Mattingly invites any similar antics and how a fiery Braves team might respond. The presence of Walt Weiss as well as a handful of key veterans, has given this roster an edge that clearly won't tolerate the level of disrespect that Mattingly's past teams offered.
Watching how the series has played out, this has to be a background story, with the hope that the manager left behind this strategy in Miami. Still, it is a piece of the rivalry and has to be factored in ahead of a series that has a chance to define the final month of the 2026 season for both teams.
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