2022 Phillies Post-Season Campaign Discussion

andyb 2022-10-14 16:26:31 UTC #115

I think Wheeler in the bullpen Sunday is definitely an option. They are not going to start him on 3 days rest given his late season arm issues, but an inning or two late has certainly got to be on the menu.

BostonRoss 2022-10-14 17:36:47 UTC #116

I think everything hinges on whether the Phillies can generate offense today. We have seen they have games where they simply don't hit, and sometimes in consecutive games. I think that if they hit today, they'll win behind Mr. October.

If they win, then I think they can take one of two. The current version of Charlie Morton doesn't scare me, and while we can't count on another clunker from Fried, the Braves can't assume he'll be his ace-like self either. I do think the Phillies will use Wheeler on Sunday if the situation warrants it.

zambonir 2022-10-14 19:20:38 UTC #117

I think they should hit one of those balls that goes out of the park. Maybe two.

allentown 2022-10-14 19:25:20 UTC #118

I'm not sure about that. If they are tempted to use him, it is because they have a solid shot to win this series. In that case they will want him to start the next series. Not being a reliever, pitching on less than full rest may not be a good option

HopeSpringsEternal 2022-10-14 19:25:26 UTC #119

One by Schwarber, one by Hoskins - that would be a nice reversal of current trends.

andyb 2022-10-14 19:29:43 UTC #120

I'll take one from Stott and one from Marsh too. Spread the brotherly love around.

zambonir 2022-10-14 19:33:22 UTC #121

But if the Phillies are winning 4-3 in the 9th inning and Ranger only went four and you already used Bellatti, Seranthony, Alvarado and Eflin (as well as Falter and Thor on Saturday) are you going to send Connor Brogdon or Kyle Gibson out there to hold back Wheeler for a start he never gets to make?

It's definitely harder to do this in the expanded playoffs/short-series but it's still all-hands-on-deck in any clincher/elimination game, to a point.

Aquapong 2022-10-14 23:22:56 UTC #122

I suppose tomorrow we’re just winging it pitching wise…playing matchups. Suarez for either Sunday or hopefully game 1 of an NLCS.

Wheeler would be setup to pitch game 2 and 6 of the NLCS. Nola would be set up for game 3 and 7.

el-pietro 2022-10-14 23:55:59 UTC #123

If Wheeler doesn't pitch again in this series hed be available to pitch in NLCS game 1 should they get there.

HopeSpringsEternal 2022-10-15 00:01:54 UTC #124

Good call!

Aquapong 2022-10-15 00:11:13 UTC #125

Man tomorrow is a crazy sports day.

Son’s hockey game at 10:15, Penn State at 12, Phillies at 2, son’s second game at 3:30, and Flyers at 4. Too bad one of those games couldn’t be in the evening.

zambonir 2022-10-15 00:19:51 UTC #126

Thor starting tomorrow

"We'll see" Thomson says when asked whether he'll get one rotation through order or more.

HopeSpringsEternal 2022-10-15 00:30:32 UTC #127

Seems like the right choice, given how the Braves hit lefties (and have hit Falter).

Let's hope Syndergaard gets an extra boost from the rabid Philly phans tomorrow.

Sabin 2022-10-15 07:44:38 UTC #128

Brad may offer to lend a hand in there.

EDmuch 2022-10-15 11:09:40 UTC #129

Easy choice, Brogdan..

VoteForKalas 2022-10-15 13:05:55 UTC #130

I hope the game plan today is to knock Morton out of the game as early as possible and get back into that Braves bullpen.

Hopefully, we can force them to use a starter and hamstring them if it does go to Game 5

Be patient, work Morton, get on base and get a lead...

EDmuch 2022-10-15 15:23:29 UTC #131

I would think it is almost certain that they plan to work Morton early as much as possible.

zambonir 2022-10-15 15:43:39 UTC #132

Over Wheeler?

(Edit, ha, well, in theory he's even available today, or for an actual short start tomorrow. That would be interesting - let him open for Suarez? But then you've got neither of them for a potential Game 1. We should have such problems!)

Rob Thomson said Zack Wheeler is available to pitch for an inning today, if needed. He also could start a potential Game 5 on short rest. Nothing decided, of course.
— Todd Zolecki ( @ToddZolecki ) October 15, 2022

Dirk41 2022-10-15 16:03:35 UTC #133

It's wild that having 3 good starters is such a luxury

zambonir 2022-10-15 16:34:50 UTC #134

It's also just the analytics, and the urgency/randomness of this playoff format. Closers don't often get the clinching save in a World Series anymore either.

In the Braves case they should definitely have more starters but one of them is Ian Anderson (demoted) and of course they lost Folty in recent years. And they are just straight-up using starters as relievers, as we really are too, and as the Rays, Dodgers and Astros have for years.