2024 Phillies Late Season Discussion

[zambonir]

It really sounds like they don't intend to let him make the start, though he could be part of a bullpen game I guess. Swap someone out for Allard whether he's a starter or not (presumably Covey since he has to either hit the roster or the waiver wire anyway. Could he at least go two?).

Thomson did state that Walker was healthy in his pregame interview yesterday so doesn't seem like they are considering that loophole.

[Aquapong]

Allard up, Lazar down. Sucks for Lazar since he’s pitched well when called on. But maybe Walker will develop another “injury” and Lazar will be back soon.

It was good to see the bats come out last night. Too bad JT will probably sit today after a night like last night.

[Callison]

Didn't Allard have a nice 5 innings or so last outing w the Phils? He'll be better with JT or Stubbs calling the game than at AAA.

The Phils want to see how good Hays can be as a starter, so he'll get a lot of PT in LF. Thanks to his injury, he's starting over at the plate. IMHO, he looks good at the plate and I think he'll hit. That's too bad for Wilson, who has done everything he needs to do to earn PT, including hit for power. Maybe sacrifice some D to let him play center in front of Marsh and Rojas. That's against the Phils' preference to let players play their way out of slumps (Marsh) and their commitment to Rojas. But Wilson looks like he can hit and could become an exciting player. Looked ok at 3B too.

Nice of the Phils hitters to stop by yesterday.

[owaistabish]

He went five against the DBacks in the game they won I believe. Kept the game enough to have a comeback win. Pitch count was efficient as well.

Hope Phillies hitters keep the momentum going today. I worry about the inconsistency. The approach is inconsistent at times from one game to next.

[BostonRoss]

He'll be better with JT or Stubbs calling the game than at AAA.

He had Marchan calling the game in Worcester. I don’t think that was the problem. The weather was lousy, though.

[zambonir]

Phillies have their second-highest chase rate, second-highest batting average and second-highest SLG of the season in August (after June).

Phillies takeaways on Bryce Harper, Taijuan Walker and more entering a key week

The Phillies are 11-11 in August with a .761 OPS that ranks 11th in Major League Baseball.

The last seven starts made by the four pitchers the Phillies expect to use in the postseason (Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Ranger Suárez and Cristopher Sánchez) yielded a 2.05 ERA. In 44 innings, those starters struck out 41 batters and walked only six.

Been a little while since a bad pen outing though scoring 11 runs will also do that.

[David_Criss]

Two questions. One serious, one tongue-in-cheek - Doesn't Dylan Covey have to be activated this week?
Isn't it time for another 6 weeks to heal blister to be found on Walker?

[Matt_Winkelman]

Covey has to be activated this week, but is also out of options so they will need to create a 40 man roster spot (which shouldn't be a problem) and someone down or immediately DFA him.

[andyb]

Yes. The reality for Walker though is that it might be best for both parties if he consented to a 15-day stay in the minors to hopefully get back on track for the second half of September.

If Covey is up it is likely for Allard unless Walker consents to such a move. Hard to think the Phillies are going to walk away from the last 2 years of Walker's contract at this point.

We'll also get another bullpen arm on 9/1. So bullpen games will be easier to do. I doubt they want to do one this week as they probably want to get Wheeler and Nola both starts against Houston and Atlanta. That was part of the reason for the Allard game yesterday. If they have to do a bullpen game for the Walker start (perhaps with Walker on a very short leash) then there are worse problems. The goal is really to win the division and sometimes you sacrifice a short term goal of having the best lineup in every game for the long term goal of winning in October.

[andyb]

Some small moves today though not dealing with the Walker situation just yet. I guess a position player injury/absence lets you recall a pitcher though before the required 15 days. Learn something new every day.

The Phillies announced the following roster moves:
- INF/OF Weston Wilson was placed on the paternity list
- RHP Max Lazar was recalled from Lehigh Valley (AAA) to replace Wilson on the 26-man roster
- LHP Kolby Allard was optioned to LHV
- INF Buddy Kennedy (No. 19) was recalled…

— Philadelphia Phillies ( @Phillies ) August 26, 2024

Still time to replace Lazar with Covey in a couple of days if they choose to.

[zambonir]

Interesting but also mildly curious... can't decide if this shows they are going to keep Walker around for sure, or just the opposite (i.e. if he struggles against the Braves he does indeed go on the IL which lets them bring back Allard immediately too).

[andyb]

Now Walker just needs to go on paternity leave on Thursday so Allard can take the next turn in the rotation.

[zambonir]

I'm not sure he can get pregnant and carry to term that quickly.

[andyb]

Phillies are flipping Taijuan Walker and Cristopher Sanchez in the rotation. Walker will start Wednesday against Houston. Sanchez will go Thursday against Atlanta.

— Destiny Lugardo ( @destiny_lugardo ) August 26, 2024

Looks like Walker is good to go, though this little switch implies that it will be a very short leash, perhaps using the Lazar and Covey availability. Plus it pushes Sanchez to the more important divisional game against Atlanta.

[HopeSpringsEternal]

Walker will start Wednesday against Houston. Sanchez will go Thursday against Atlanta.

Wednesday's game starts at 4:10. I halfway wonder if part of the reason for this switch is because many phans won't be tuned into this game yet, being at work or on their way home. Hoping for the best, but to be honest, Walker's starts have been hard to watch.

[zambonir]

Pretty happy I traded my Wed tix for Tuesday already, though I doubt that really has anything to do with it. The Braves game being bigger does. But also Sanchez can use the extra rest whereas Walker is a fungible arm.

Covey would still have to replace Lazar to be available Wednesday. Doesn't sound like he's in bulk reliever mode anyway. But presumably/ideally Ruiz doesn't pitch tonight or tomorrow. Banks neither.

[andyb]

4:10 game might have a lesser lineup for Houston too. Backup catcher, etc. And I know they are having issues getting Bregman in the field too (though he is at 3B tonight - elbow injury has them exploring 1B and DH).

[Philsmania]

Walker will start Wednesday against Houston. Sanchez will go Thursday against Atlanta.

Wednesday's game starts at 4:10. I halfway wonder if part of the reason for this switch is because many phans won't be tuned into this game yet, being at work or on their way home. Hoping for the best, but to be honest, Walker's starts have been hard to watch.

It's Seniors Stroll the Bases Day so maybe it will be an older and gentler crowd.

[zambonir]

I have actually found that to be true. Though the last time I went it was a 1pm game in April (last season). School started today too so probably not as big a crowd likely either.

[David_Criss]

This has to be Walker's last opportunity, right? They are trying to win a World Series I thought. If Walker struggles his next turn, I have to imagine he is stashed in the pen until the end of the season with Phillips, Allard, Covey/BB getting his starts.