The Phillies Have One Big Advantage Over The Teams Left In the NL
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…
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.
(Photo by Sarah Stier/Getty Images)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
(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
(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
(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
(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
(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
(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
(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
(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
(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
(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
(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
(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
(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
(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
(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
(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
(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
(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
(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
(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
(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
(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
(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
(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
(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
(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
