Skip to Search Skip to Live Player Skip to Content Skip to Footer

The Best Show Ever?: Weekdays 2pm – 6pm

The Best Show Ever?: Weekdays 2pm – 6pm

The Best Show Ever?: Weekdays 2pm – 6pm

The Phillies Have One Big Advantage Over The Teams Left In the NL

Placeholder Shilloutte User Image
Author and Dylan MacKinnon
PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 03: Zack Wheeler #45 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts during the seventh inning against the Miami Marlins in Game One of the Wild Card Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 03, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

The Phillies are not a 100-win team like the Braves and Dodgers. But there is one thing they have, that those teams do not. A healthy pitching staff. From top to bottom, pretty much everyone is entering the postseason healthy, and somewhat rested. We already saw that with how good both Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola looked. But it also applies to the bullpen. And that is not the case for the rest of the NL still standing in the NL.

And when Jayson Stark joined The Best Show Ever on Wednesday he discussed this very topic:

“Look at the health of the Phillies, and the Phillies staf versus the teams we thought would be in their way. The Braves, with two hurting starters. Dodgers don’t even know what their rotation will be and may not have a classic rotation… Health is just such a huge factor this time of year. However, the Phillies did it, they are the healthiest staff in the postseason right now. I don’t know where that is going to lead them, but it’s a big factor as we move along.”

The Braves have a healthy Spencer Stider. But Charlie Morton is on the IL, and Max Fried is dealing with a blister. Fried will pitch, but the blister could impact how well he pitches, and his ability to pitch on short rest in game 5 if needed. And they do not really have a Game 3 starter. The plan will probably be Bryce Elder and the bullpen.

The Dodgers are in even worse shape. Their rotation has been a bit of a mess all season. Walker Buehler missed the whole season. Julio Urias is away from the team while he faces charges of Domestic Abuse. Dustin May suffered a season-ending injury. That leaves them with Clayton Kershaw, and not much else. Bobby Miller is a promising young pitcher, but he is well past his prior high for innings and has no postseason experience. And after him, their 3rd best option is Lance Lynn, who has a 5.73 ERA this season.

The Diamondbacks aren’t injured, they just don’t have much outside their two Aces. As good as Zac Gallen and Merrill Kelly are, their next best option is Brandon Pfaadt, who has a 5.72 ERA this season, and gave up 3 runs in 2.2 innings in his one postseason start so far.

Meanwhile, the Phillies have Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola, who we saw pitch great in the Wild Card Series. Then they have Ranger Suarez, who we know can pitch in the postseason from last year. If they need a 4th starter, it gets a bit dicier. But just having 3 guys who can start a game is a huge leg up on what every other team can do. And Cristopher Sanchez or Taijuan Walker are a better 4th option than any other team has.

And while we are talking of Zack Wheeler, Jayson Stark had some very high praise for him.

“Why do we not talk about this guy in the conversation among the best pitchers in the sport? Who has been better than him these last 4 seasons? Maybe Gerrit Cole. I don’t think anyone else is even in the argument. When you have a lead, and the ball is in his hands, you can just see the faith that everyone has in him. He is not going to let that go.

His ERA in the 3 game ones he has started (in the playoffs) is 0.45. That is 20 innings, 1 run, and 8 hits. It is the greatest ERA in postseason game ones, in the history of the sport. That tells you not just how good he was (Tuesday Night), but how good the body of work has been.”

The Phillies will have the pitching advantage in every series they play. And we haven’t even touched on the bullpen yet. While everyone else is dealing with a banged-up pitching staff, the Phillies are all hands on deck. it was the same situation last season. The big difference is now the Phillies have even more talent to work with.

You can listen to the full conversation with Jayson Stark below:

Here is what the Phillies 26-Man Roster Could Look Like For The Braves Series:

The Philadelphia Phillies 26-Man Roster for the NLDS Vs The Braves

The Phillies are back in the NLDS. After beating the Marlins in the Wild Card Round, they are moving on to face the Braves. This exact matchup went very well for the Phillies last year. It started with them winning game 1 in Atlanta. Then they got to Spencer Strider in game 3, with an unforgettable bat spike by Rhys Hoskins. And closed it out in game 4 with another HR Derby, including an inside-the-parker by JT Realmuto. But both teams look a bit different than last year, even if the core for each side still looks the same. And there are lots of new faces on the 26-man Roster this time around.

Here is the schedule for the NLDS vs the Braves:

Game 1- Saturday- Oct 7th- TBD In Atlanta

Game 2- Monday- Oct 9th- TBD- In Atlanta

Game 3- Wednesday- Oct 11th- TBD- In Philly

Game 4 (if needed)- Thursday- Oct 12- TBD- In Philly

Game 5-(if needed)- Saturday- Oct 14th- TBD- In Atlanta

In the Wild Card Series, the Phillies elected to keep fewer pitchers, to add another righty, Weston Wilson, onto the 26-man roster. Mostly because the Marlins are capable of throwing a lot of tough lefty pitchers at you. The Braves do have Max Fried, but their rotation and bullpen are more righty-heavy than the Marlins are. So the approach in constructing the 26-man roster for the NLDS is a bit different. It starts with Weston Wilson being less likely to be there for this series.

So who will make it? And how have each of those guys performed this season? Here are the 26 guys who will be on the roster for the series against the Braves. Along with each of their season stats, and their stats vs. the Braves this year.

Here is your 26-man roster for the NLDS vs. the Braves:

 

  • C- JT Realmuto

    MILWAUKEE, WISCONSIN - SEPTEMBER 03: J.T. Realmuto #10 of the Philadelphia Phillies walks to the dugout prior to a game against the Milwaukee Brewers at American Family Field on September 03, 2023 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

    (Photo by Stacy Revere/Getty Images)

    Season Stats

    .252/.310/.452/.762

    20 HRs, 28 2Bs, 5 3Bs, 63 RBIs, 70 Runs, 16 SBs

    Stats vs Braves

    .194/.250/.333/.583

    1 HR, 2 2Bs, 0 3Bs, 2RBIs, 4 Runs, 0 SBs

  • 1B- Bryce Harper

    ATLANTA, GEORGIA - SEPTEMBER 19: Bryce Harper #3 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts as he rounds second base after hitting a three-run homer in the sixth inning against the Atlanta Braves at Truist Park on September 19, 2023 in Atlanta, Georgia.

    (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)

    Season Stats

    .293/.401/.499/.900

    21 HRs, 29 2Bs, 1 3B, 72 RBIs, 84 Runs, 11 SBs

    Stats vs Braves

    .244/.397/.578/.974

    5 HRs, 0 2B, 0 3B, 9 RBIs, 10 Runs, 1 SB

  • 2B- Bryson Stott

    PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 03: Bryson Stott #5 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after hitting a one-run RBI single during the fourth inning against the Miami Marlins in Game One of the Wild Card Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 03, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

    (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

    Season Stats

    .280/.329/.419/.747

    15 HRs, 32 2Bs, 2 3Bs, 62 RBIs, 78 Runs, 31 SBs

    Stats vs Braves

    .220/.273/.380/.653

    1 HR, 5 2Bs, 0 3B, 8 RBIs, 5 Runs, 4 SBs

  • SS- Trea Turner

    ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - SEPTEMBER 16: Trea Turner #7 of the Philadelphia Phillies scores a run against the St. Louis Cardinals in the first inning at Busch Stadium on September 16, 2023 in St Louis, Missouri.

    (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

    Season Stats

    .266/.320/.459/.778

    26 HRs, 35 2Bs, 5 3Bs, 76 RBIs, 102 Runs, 30 SBs

    Stats vs Braves

    .204/.272/.370/.642

    2 HRs, 3 2Bs, 0 3Bs, 7 RBIs, 7 Runs, 4 SBs

  • 3B- Alec Bohm

    PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 03: Alec Bohm #28 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after hitting a one-run RBI double during the third inning against the Miami Marlins in Game One of the Wild Card Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 03, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

    (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

    Season Stats

    .274/.327/.437/.765

    20 HRs, 31 2Bs, 0 3Bs, 97 RBIs, 74 Runs, 4 SBs

    Stats vs Braves

    .262/.319/.381/.700

    1 HR, 2 2Bs, 0 3Bs, 7 RBIs, 1 Run, 0 SB

  • LF- Brandon Marsh

    NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 01: Brandon Marsh #16 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a three run home run against the New York Mets during the ninth inning of their game at Citi Field on October 01, 2023 in New York City.

    (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

    Season Stats

    .277/.372/.458/.829

    12 HRs, 25 2Bs, 6 3Bs, 60 RBIs, 58 Runs, 10 SBs

    Stats vs Braves

    .286/.362/.452/.814

    2 HRs, 1 2B. 0 3B, 5 RBIs, 7 Runs, 1 SB

  • CF- Johan Rojas

    PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 26: Johan Rojas #18 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after hitting a walk-off single during the tenth inning to defeat the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citizens Bank Park on September 26, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

    (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

    Season Stats

    .302/.342/.430/.771

    2 HRs, 9 2Bs, 2 3Bs, 23 RBIs, 24 Runs, 14 SBs

    Stats vs Braves

    .286/.333/.571/.905

    1 HR, 1 2B, 0 3B, 2 RBIs, 4 Runs, 2 SBs

  • RF- Nick Castellanos

    PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 03: Nick Castellanos #8 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a double during the fourth inning against the Miami Marlins in Game One of the Wild Card Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 03, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

    (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

    Season Stats

    .272/.311/.476/.788

    29 HRs, 37 2Bs, 2 3Bs, 106 RBIs, 79 Runs, 11 SBs

    Stats vs Braves

    .294/.345/.608/.953

    4 HRs, 2 2Bs, 1 3B, 9 RBIs, 8 Runs, 0 SBs

  • DH- Kyle Schwarber

    PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - AUGUST 29: Kyle Schwarber #12 of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a solo home run during the third inning against the Los Angeles Angels at Citizens Bank Park on August 29, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

    (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

    Season Stats

    .197/.343/.474/.817

    47 HRs, 19 2Bs, 1 3B, 104 RBIs, 108 Runs, 0 SBs

    Stats vs Braves

    .184/.344/.327/.671

    2 HRs, 1 2B, 0 3B, 5 RBIs, 8 Runs, 0 SB

  • INF- Edmundo Sosa

    PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - AUGUST 21: Edmundo Sosa #33 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after hitting a triple during the fourth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Citizens Bank Park on August 21, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

    (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

    Season Stats

    .251/.293/.427/.719

    10 HRs, 15 2Bs, 2 3Bs, 30 RBIs, 34 Runs, 4 SBs

    Stats vs Braves

    .154/.154/.231/.385

    0 HRs, 1 2B, 0 3B, 2 RBIs, 1 Run, 0 SBs

  • OF- Cristian Pache

    PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 03: Cristian Pache #19 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after hitting a one-run RBI single during the fourth inning against the Miami Marlins in Game One of the Wild Card Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 03, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

    (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

    Season Stats

    .238/.319/.417/.736

    2 HRs, 7 2Bs, 1 3B, 11 RBIs, 12 Runs, 2 SBs

    Stats vs Braves

    .000/.143/.000/.143

    0 HRs, 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 RBIs, 0 Runs, 0 SBs

  • 1B/OF- Jake Cave

    SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, PENNSYLVANIA - AUGUST 20: Jake Cave #44 of the Philadelphia Phillies follows his two RBI home run in the ninth inning against the Washington Nationals during the 2023 Little League Classic at Bowman Field on August 20, 2023 in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

    (Photo by Rob Carr/Getty Images)

    Season Stats

    .238/.319/.417/.736

    2 HRs, 7 2Bs, 1 3B, 11 RBIs, 12 Runs, 2 SBs

    Stats vs Braves

    .000/.143/.000/.143

    0 HRs, 0 2B, 0 3B, 0 RBIs, 0 Runs, 0 SBs

  • C- Garrett Stubbs

    NEW YORK, NEW YORK - OCTOBER 01: Garrett Stubbs #21 of the Philadelphia Phillies bats against the New York Mets during their game at Citi Field on October 01, 2023 in New York City.

    (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images)

    Season Stats

    .204/.274/.283/.557

    1 HR, 4 2Bs, 1 3B, 12 RBIs, 15 Runs, 2 SBs

    Stats vs Braves

    .000/.000/.000/.000

    0 HRs, 0 2Bs, 0 3Bs, 0 RBIs, 0 Runs, 0 SB

  • SP- Zack Wheeler

    PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 03: Zack Wheeler #45 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches during the first inning against the Miami Marlins in Game One of the Wild Card Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 03, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

    (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

    Season Stats

    3.61 ERA, 13-6, 212 Ks, 192 IPs, 1,08 WHIP

    Stats vs Braves

    3.32 ERA, 2-0, 21 Ks, 19 IPs, 1.00 WHIP

  • SP- Aaron Nola

    ST LOUIS, MISSOURI - SEPTEMBER 15: Aaron Nola #27 of the Philadelphia Phillies delivers a pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals in the first inning at Busch Stadium on September 15, 2023 in St Louis, Missouri.

    (Photo by Dilip Vishwanat/Getty Images)

    Season Stats 

    4.46 ERA, 12-9, 202 Ks, 193.2 IPs, 1.15 WHIP 

    Stats vs Braves 

    3.50 ERA, 0-0, 20 Ks, 18 IPs, 1.11 WHIP 

  • SP- Ranger Suarez

    PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 27: Ranger Suarez #55 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches during the fifth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citizens Bank Park on September 27, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

    (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

    Season Stats

    4.18 ERA, 4-6, 119 Ks, 125 IPs, 1.42 WHIP

    Stats vs Braves

    1.5 ERA, 0-0, 7 Ks, 6 IPs, 1.00 WHIP

  • SP- Taijuan Walker

    PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 11: Taijuan Walker #99 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches against the Atlanta Braves during the second inning of game one of a doubleheader at Citizens Bank Park on September 11, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

    (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

    Season Stats

    4.38 ERA, 15-6, 138 Ks, 172.2 IPs, 1.31 WHIP

    Stats vs Braves

    6.00 ERA, 1-0, 6Ks, 12 IPs, 1.67 WHIP

  • SP/RP- Cristopher Sanchez

    PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 24: Cristopher Sanchez #61 of the Philadelphia Phillies delivers during the first inning against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on September 24, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

    (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

    Season Stats

    3.44 ERA, 3-5, 96 Ks, 99.1 IPs, 1.05 WHIP

    Stats vs. Braves

    5.56 ERA, 0-2, 12 Ks, 11.1 IPs, 1.94 WHIP

  • SP/RP- Michael Lorenzen

    PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 28: Michael Lorenzen #22 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches during the seventh inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citizens Bank Park on September 28, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

    (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

    Season Stats

    4.18 ERA, 9-9, 111 Ks, 153 IPs, 1.21 WHIP

    Stats vs. Braves

    11.12 ERA, 1-1, 6 Ks, 11.1 IPs, 2.12 WHIP

  • RP- Craig Kimbrel

    PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 03: Craig Kimbrel #31 of the Philadelphia Phillies celebrates recording the final out to defeat the Miami Marlins 4-1 in Game One of the Wild Card Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 03, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

    (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

    Season Stats

    3.26 ERA, 23 Saves, 94 Ks, 69 IPs, 1.04 WHIP

    Stats vs Braves

    1.50 ERA, 3 Saves, 7 Ks, 6 IPs, 0.83 WHIP

  • RP- Jose Alvarado

    PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 03: Jose Alvarado #46 of the Philadelphia Phillies reacts after striking out Yuli Gurriel #10 of the Miami Marlins (not pictured) to retire the side during the seventh inning in Game One of the Wild Card Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 03, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

    (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

    Season Stats

    1.74 ERA, 10 Saves, 64 Ks, 41.1 IPs, 1.16 WHIP

    Stats vs. Braves

    2.25 ERA, 0 Saves, 5Ks, 4 IPS, 1.25 WHIP

  • RP- Gregory Soto

    PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - AUGUST 12: Gregory Soto #30 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches during the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins at Citizens Bank Park on August 12, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

    (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

    Season Stats

    4.62 ERA, 3 Saves, 65Ks, 60.1 IPs, 1.14 WHIP

    Stats vs. Braves

    8.31 ERA*, 0 Saves, 6 Ks, 4.1 Innings, 1.84 WHIP

    *Most of that 8.31 came off one bad out in May, Soto has given up 1 run over his last 3 outings vs the Braves*

  • RP- Jeff Hoffman

    PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - OCTOBER 03: Jeff Hoffman #68 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches during the eighth inning against the Miami Marlins in Game One of the Wild Card Series at Citizens Bank Park on October 03, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

    (Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)

    Season Stats

    2.41 ERA, 1 Save, 69 Ks, 52.1 IPs, 0.92 WHIP

    Stats vs. Braves

    7.2 ERA, 0 Saves, 5 Ks, 5 IPs, 1.80 WHIP

  • RP- Matt Strahm

    PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - AUGUST 21: Matt Strahm #25 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches during the eighth inning against the San Francisco Giants at Citizens Bank Park on August 21, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

    (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

    Season Stats

    3.29 ERA, 2 Saves, 108 Ks, 87.2 IPs, 1.02 WHIP

    Stats vs Braves

    1.69 ERA, 1 Save, 3 Ks, 5.1 IPs, 0.94 WHIP

  • RP- Seranthony Dominguez

    PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 27: Seranthony Dominguez #58 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches during the fifth inning against the Pittsburgh Pirates at Citizens Bank Park on September 27, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

    (Photo by Tim Nwachukwu/Getty Images)

    Season Stats

    3.78 ERA, 2 Saves, 48 Ks, 50 Ks, 50 IPs, 1.40 WHIP

    Stats vs. Braves

    0.00 ERA, 0 Saves, 3Ks, 3.2 IPs, 0.30 WHIP

  • RP- Orion Kerkering

    PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA - SEPTEMBER 24: Orion Kerkering #50 of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches enroute to a scoreless eighth inning of his major league debut against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on September 24, 2023 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 5-2.

    (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)

    Season Stats

    0.00 ERA, 0 Saves, 6 Ks, 3.0 IPs, 1.33 WHIP

    Stats vs Braves

    Has Not Faced the Braves

Tyrone Johnson is the host of “The Best Show Ever” on 97.5 The Fanatic. He has been with the station for the past 8 years. Before working at the Fanatic, Tyrone produced political radio, did financial reports, and was assistant chief engineer of another radio station. As a content creator for 97.5 The Fanatic, Tyrone writes articles on the Sixers, Eagles, Phillies, and Flyers.

Sign me up for the 97.5 The Fanatic email newsletter!

Become a Fanatic MVP to get the latest info on the Philly Sports landscape, plus access to exclusive content and member-only contests.

*
*
By clicking "Subscribe" I agree to the website's terms of Service and Privacy Policy. I understand I can unsubscribe at any time.
Placeholder Shilloutte User Image
Author and Dylan MacKinnon
Category:
Tags:
,,,

More Phillies // MLB

Load More