The Phillies spent Saturday afternoon showing exactly how thin the margin has become in their National League Wild Card chase. With the postseason berth still unsecured, they turned to Aaron Nola on two days’ rest against Tampa Bay and reshaped the lineup in hopes of finding a few more runs before the regular season runs out.
A short-rest call for Nola
- Nola last pitched on Wednesday, then bypassed his usual Friday bullpen work so he could be available to start Saturday night.
- The club considered using Zack Wheeler on abbreviated rest as well, but kept him lined up for a regular-rest start in Sunday’s finale.
- Nola generally throws 40 to 50 pitches during a bullpen session, leaving Philadelphia hopeful that he can cover at least several innings against the Rays.
Interim manager Don Mattingly said Nola’s old-school approach made him the natural choice for an unusual assignment.
“If anybody is made for this situation, it is probably Nola,” Mattingly said. “He is as old school as anyone we have.”
The urgency is straightforward: the Phillies need victories to lock down the third NL Wild Card spot. What had looked like a low-stakes September weekend has become a pair of games with October implications.
Luzardo remains a Sunday possibility
Philadelphia could also have left-hander Jesús Luzardo available for the final regular-season game. Luzardo has not appeared since Sept. 7 because of inflammation in his left shoulder.
- Luzardo was set to throw a simulated game Saturday.
- Rain wiped out that session.
- Even so, the Phillies believe his recovery has progressed enough that he could pitch Sunday.
Mattingly said the decision will rest on the reports from the player, medical staff and pitching group rather than a manager’s hunch.
“I am only comfortable because everybody involved is comfortable,” Mattingly said. “That includes the medical people, him and the pitching staff after watching his bullpen work. It has to be based on what they believe he can handle.”
A different look for an offense searching for a spark
The Phillies also changed the top of the order. Trea Turner moved into the leadoff spot for the first time since Aug. 3, while Kyle Schwarber shifted down to second.
Mattingly called it an effort to create “a different feel” for a club that has scored three runs or fewer in nine of its last 12 games. Philadelphia is also 1-for-19 with runners in scoring position across its previous three contests.
There was a defensive adjustment, too. Bryce Harper returned to first base and Bryan De La Cruz started in right field. Harper had not played first since the Luis Arraez trade on Aug. 3.
Arraez’s ankle clouds the weekend
Arraez sprained his left ankle Thursday and had not been placed on the 10-day injured list as of Saturday. Mattingly offered little optimism that the infielder would be able to take the field before the season ends, though the Phillies still hope he might be able to help as a pinch-hitter.
“It does not feel good,” Mattingly said. “It looks like a fairly significant ankle sprain. We will see how much we can get out of it. We are hoping he can do something, but it does not feel great.”
For now, the Phillies are treating every available arm, lineup spot and bench option as part of the same push: win enough this weekend to make sure the clubhouse gets its October invitation.
