It certainly wasn’t easy, but the Phillies have made it to the postseason.<\/p>\n
Philadelphia went 2-4 during its final homestand against the Milwaukee Brewers and Tampa Bay Rays, needing until Game 162 to clinch its fifth consecutive playoff berth. The reward is a trip to Truist Park for a best-of-three National League Wild Card Series against the Atlanta Braves.<\/p>\n
The Phillies carried a magic number of two into Tuesday, Sept. 22. They didn’t finish the job until five days later, forcing them to use two starting pitchers they otherwise could have lined up for the postseason.<\/p>\n
Aaron Nola took the ball Saturday on two days’ rest. Zack Wheeler followed Sunday, throwing six innings to help send the Phillies to Atlanta.<\/p>\n
Under different circumstances, Wheeler likely would have started Game 1 of the Wild Card Series, with Cristopher S\u00e1nchez and Nola available for the next two games. Instead, interim manager Don Mattingly must piece together a different plan.<\/p>\n
Fortunately for the Phillies, Sunday’s finale brought some encouraging news beyond the final score.<\/p>\n
Jes\u00fas Luzardo returned from the injured list, facing live hitters for the first time since Sept. 7. He needed just four pitches to record three outs, giving Philadelphia another option heading into Tuesday.<\/p>\n
But there are still plenty of questions to answer before the Phillies take the field in Atlanta.<\/p>\n
Who starts Game 1, and where does Luzardo fit?<\/p>\n
Luzardo’s return might be the most significant development for the Phillies’ postseason pitching plans.<\/p>\n
The left-hander had been sidelined with shoulder inflammation since throwing the first complete game of his career Sept. 7 against the Braves. He was activated Sunday, the first day he was eligible to return from the injured list.<\/p>\n
Before that game, Mattingly offered an encouraging update about Luzardo’s final bullpen session.<\/p>\n
“His bullpen was good. Velo was normal. Actually, it was a tick up,” Mattingly said.<\/p>\n
But the manager acknowledged that there was still uncertainty about how much the Phillies could ask of him. Luzardo hadn’t faced live hitters during his recovery, and a bullpen session could only tell the club so much.<\/p>\n
Sunday helped address that concern.<\/p>\n
Four pitches, three outs. Luzardo got back on a major league mound, faced hitters and came away with a scoreless inning. It’s an important step considering he had gone nearly three weeks without appearing in a game.<\/p>\n
What it doesn’t establish is how many innings he can reasonably provide Tuesday.<\/p>\n
That makes rookie Andrew Painter an intriguing candidate to start the series opener.<\/p>\n
Painter has already made two bulk appearances out of the bullpen this season, giving Philadelphia some familiarity with using him in different roles. He was also available during Sunday’s must-win game after throwing a bullpen session, another indication that the Phillies were prepared to use him however necessary.<\/p>\n
Now, with Wheeler unavailable to start Game 1 after Sunday’s six-inning outing, Painter could be asked to provide the length Philadelphia needs.<\/p>\n
One possibility is to start the right-hander with a shorter leash and bring Luzardo in behind him. The Phillies could also reverse that arrangement, using Luzardo to open before handing the ball to Painter.<\/p>\n
Both approaches would give Mattingly flexibility rather than forcing Luzardo into a traditional starting workload in his first substantial appearance back.<\/p>\n
Then there’s Game 3.<\/p>\n
With S\u00e1nchez positioned to pitch Game 2 and Nola a candidate for a potential deciding game, the Phillies could choose to save Luzardo for Thursday rather than use him in the opener. That would give him additional time between appearances and preserve another experienced starter for a game that could determine their season.<\/p>\n
The matchup adds another layer to the decision.<\/p>\n
Luzardo has been particularly effective against Atlanta since joining Philadelphia. His last start was a two-hit shutout against the Braves in which he struck out 12 and needed 109 pitches to complete nine innings.<\/p>\n
In four starts against Atlanta as a Phillie, he owns a 1.01 ERA, with opponents batting just .185.<\/p>\n
Painter’s history against the Braves is less straightforward.<\/p>\n
His first two starts against Atlanta came within five days of each other while he was struggling early in his rookie season. He allowed eight runs across 9 2\/3 innings.<\/p>\n
But in his most recent start against them, Painter surrendered just one run over five innings, despite allowing six hits and four walks. He found a way to limit the damage without having his best command.<\/p>\n
The Phillies have options, and Sunday’s developments give them more reason to consider a combination of the two.<\/p>\n
The decision ultimately comes down to whether they’re more comfortable asking Luzardo to cover innings immediately or preserving him for later in the series.<\/p>\n
Can the Phillies solve Chris Sale?<\/p>\n
The Braves have had the luxury of preparing their rotation for the postseason. The Phillies haven’t.<\/p>\n
Atlanta lined up Chris Sale to pitch Game 1 on extra rest, with Tyler Mahle positioned to follow him in Game 2. Philadelphia, meanwhile, had to use Nola and Wheeler over the final weekend simply to secure its postseason berth.\u00a0<\/p>\n
It’s a difficult assignment for an offense that struggled throughout the final stretch of the regular season.<\/p>\n
Sale made four starts against the Phillies this year, recording a 2.08 ERA and a 0.81 WHIP. He pitched at least six innings and struck out at least six batters in every one of those outings, allowing two or fewer runs in three of them.<\/p>\n
And now he’ll be fresh.<\/p>\n
The Braves gave their ace additional rest down the stretch, a luxury made possible by securing the NL East title well before the final weekend. Sale finished the regular season 14-9 with a 2.16 ERA across 27 starts.<\/p>\n
Philadelphia hasn’t given itself much reason to feel comfortable about this particular matchup, either.<\/p>\n
Against left-handed starters, excluding openers, the Phillies finished with a .300 on-base percentage and a .680 OPS. They went 21-26 in those games.<\/p>\n
Their recent struggles have made the task even more daunting. The Phillies went into their final series against Tampa Bay searching for the approach that had helped carry them through August, when they were among baseball’s most productive offenses.<\/p>\n
Mattingly didn’t believe the problem was a lack of effort or a conscious change in approach.<\/p>\n
“Nothing’s really changed. We’re just not getting it done the same way,” he said before Sunday’s game.<\/p>\n
That will have to change quickly against Sale.<\/p>\n
The Phillies need their right-handed hitters to produce, particularly Trea Turner and Alec Bohm, while creating opportunities for Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber. Getting Sale into difficult situations early would also prevent him from working deep into a game in which Philadelphia might already be asking several pitchers to cover innings.<\/p>\n
And Atlanta doesn’t offer much relief in Game 2.<\/p>\n
Mahle has a 2.28 ERA in four starts against the Phillies this season. He’s been effective since joining the Braves in a midseason trade from San Francisco, although he enters the playoffs coming off one of his rougher starts, having allowed five runs against Cincinnati on Thursday.<\/p>\n
Philadelphia could have S\u00e1nchez ready for that matchup and Nola available in a potential Game 3.<\/p>\n
But before the Phillies can take advantage of those possibilities, they’ll have to find a way to get past Sale.<\/p>\n
Will the Phillies get Luis Arraez back?<\/p>\n
The Phillies received some encouraging news Sunday concerning their biggest trade deadline acquisition.<\/p>\n
Arraez was feeling considerably better after several days of treatment for the left ankle sprain he suffered Thursday against Milwaukee.<\/p>\n
“A lot better today,” Mattingly said before the regular-season finale, adding that he was more encouraged by the infielder’s progress.<\/p>\n
There was still an important hurdle, though. At the time of Mattingly’s update, Arraez hadn’t taken any swings since the injury.<\/p>\n
That leaves the Phillies with questions about how much he can contribute Tuesday, even if his ankle continues to improve.<\/p>\n
Arraez was acquired from San Francisco in August to give Philadelphia another hitter who could consistently put the ball in play. He’s hit .278 since the trade, providing a different look in a lineup that has often relied on power.<\/p>\n
With the offense struggling to string hits together, his availability could be particularly valuable against Sale and Mahle.<\/p>\n
But the Phillies need to know whether Arraez can play in the field and run the bases, not merely whether he’s comfortable swinging a bat.<\/p>\n
Without him, Mattingly has adjusted his defensive alignment, including moving Harper back to first base, Bohm to third and Bryson Stott to second.<\/p>\n
Before Sunday’s game, Mattingly explained that he wanted to put his best defensive group behind Wheeler, rather than make changes simply for the sake of shaking up a struggling lineup.<\/p>\n
Getting Arraez back would create additional choices, but his health will determine how much flexibility the Phillies actually have.<\/p>\n
It’s one thing to carry a player who can pinch-hit during the regular season. It’s another to use one of 26 postseason roster spots on a hitter who might require an immediate pinch-runner or defensive replacement.<\/p>\n
The Phillies have reason to be encouraged by his progress. They still need to see what his ankle will allow him to do.<\/p>\n
How will Mattingly piece together the bullpen?<\/p>\n
Perhaps no part of the Phillies’ roster has generated more questions throughout the season.<\/p>\n
The bullpen has been shuffled repeatedly, with injuries, inconsistent performances and changing roles making it difficult for Mattingly to establish a dependable path to closer Jhoan Duran.<\/p>\n
But the manager made his approach clear before Sunday’s must-win game.<\/p>\n
“We’re going to prioritize our best guys,” Mattingly said. “Pretty simple.”<\/p>\n
That philosophy could carry directly into the Wild Card Series, where traditional bullpen roles might take a back seat to whichever pitchers give Philadelphia the best chance to get outs.<\/p>\n
It starts with the same two names involved in the Game 1 discussion.<\/p>\n
If Painter starts and Luzardo follows him, the Phillies could potentially cover a substantial portion of the opener before turning to their conventional relievers. If Luzardo is held back for Game 3, Painter might be asked to provide more length, putting greater responsibility on the bullpen.<\/p>\n
Mattingly acknowledged before Sunday’s game that the club still didn’t know exactly how much it could get out of Luzardo. He also made clear that the Phillies wouldn’t hesitate to use him if they believed he was ready.<\/p>\n
His four-pitch appearance in the clincher was an important step, but it didn’t answer every question about his workload.<\/p>\n
Beyond those two, the Phillies have several decisions to make.<\/p>\n
Jonathan Bowlan was available Sunday after recovering from a groin injury. Before going down, he had emerged as a valuable option in the middle and late innings, capable of handling difficult pockets of hitters.<\/p>\n
His return gives Mattingly another arm he can use in the sixth, seventh or eighth inning, depending on the situation.<\/p>\n
Alex McFarlane has earned similar consideration.<\/p>\n
The rookie allowed two runs Sunday against Tampa Bay, but his improved strike-throwing and high-end velocity have made him one of Mattingly’s more trusted relievers. He’s shown he can miss bats in situations where the Phillies desperately need an out.<\/p>\n
Chase Shugart is another name to watch.<\/p>\n
The right-hander has posted a 1.96 ERA over his last 15 appearances and has increasingly been used in important spots. With Orion Kerkering optioned to Triple-A following his late-season struggles, Shugart could take on some of the work Kerkering handled during previous postseason runs.<\/p>\n
The left-handed group is a different story.<\/p>\n
Philadelphia’s left-handed relievers combined for a 5.15 ERA this season, the highest mark in the majors. Tim Mayza has been the most dependable of the group, while Jos\u00e9 Alvarado and Tanner Banks have struggled with consistency.<\/p>\n
Could Nestor Cortes provide another option?<\/p>\n
The veteran left-hander has been building up at Triple-A Lehigh Valley and remains eligible for the postseason roster. He could give the Phillies another way to cover multiple innings or match up against Atlanta’s left-handed hitters, although carrying him would require leaving another pitcher off the roster.<\/p>\n
Mattingly isn’t necessarily looking for a left-hander simply because the opposing hitter bats from that side of the plate.<\/p>\n
He made that clear before Sunday’s game, pointing to Duran, Luzardo and McFarlane as pitchers he trusts to handle difficult assignments regardless of the matchup.<\/p>\n
The challenge will be finding the right combination of those arms without exhausting the bullpen in the first game.<\/p>\n
The Phillies have spent much of the season trying to establish dependable roles for their relievers. Now, with a three-game series standing between them and the NLDS, they might have to abandon those roles altogether.<\/p>\n
That’s the consequence of needing every available resource just to reach the postseason.<\/p>\n
Before Sunday’s clincher, Mattingly compared the circumstances to Game 7 of a playoff series. The players looked relaxed, he said, even though everyone understood what was at stake.<\/p>\n
He was excited to see how they would respond.<\/p>\n
“All these situations, you see how guys react,” Mattingly said.<\/p>\n
The Phillies answered that question Sunday. Wheeler gave them six innings, Luzardo returned to the mound and the club finally secured its postseason berth.<\/p>\n
Now comes another challenge, against a familiar opponent that had considerably more time to prepare.<\/p>\n
And the Phillies have to decide which arms will give them the best chance to keep playing.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"It certainly wasn’t easy, but the Phillies have made it to the postseason. Philadelphia went 2-4 during its…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":295331,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[8],"tags":[69,71,70,11350],"class_list":["post-295330","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-philadelphia","tag-philadelphia","tag-philadelphia-headlines","tag-philadelphia-news","tag-phillies-analysis"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/295330","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=295330"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/295330\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/295331"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=295330"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=295330"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=295330"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}