Rob Thomson swaps two struggling lefties in batting order

The Phillies are looking to snap a six-game losing streak, their longest since June 2019.

In an attempt to get the offense going and bolster two struggling left-handed bats, Rob Thomson switched Kyle Schwarber and Bryson Stott in the lineup for Sunday’s series finale against the Boston Red Sox. Stott will hit leadoff. Schwarber will bat fifth. It’s the lowest he’s hit in the lineup all season. He started seven games as the Phillies’ No. 5 hitter in 2022.

“I’ve been thinking about it for a couple days,” Thomson said Sunday morning. “Just to maybe jumpstart [Schwarber] and [Stott] too. Although [Stott’s] having decent at-bats, there’s not been a lot of performance. Maybe it jumpstarts both of them.”

Schwarber is stuck in a major cold streak. He’s 0-for-20 with eight strikeouts and no walks. It’s the longest such hitless nod of his career. He’s started slow in each of his first two seasons with the Phillies. Through 34 games, Schwarber’s numbers are comparable to his 2022 start:

• 2022: .183/.288/.429 with nine home runs, 21 RBIs and 17 walks to 47 strikeouts
• 2023: .176/.295/.376 with seven home runs, 13 RBIs and 19 walks to 42 strikeouts

Schwarber’s struggles are front and center because of his positioning in the order and his importance to the overall success of the team, but Stott is also in a massive slump. Since April 27, Stott is slashing .147/.189/.147. He only has three strikeouts during the cold stretch, but he’s been on base just six times over the last nine games.

Stott, when he’s hitting, is a great fit in the leadoff spot. He puts the ball in play, makes the pitcher work and is a good bet to steal when he gets on base. Thomson mentioned that at times, there are points in the year where the Phillies have to play a bit more small ball when the home runs aren’t there.

That’s why it’s appealing to have Stott and Trea Turner hitting first and second.

“There are times through a year where you try to create runs by running, by hitting, by safety squeeze. Little things to create some runs because you’re just not hitting home runs,” Thomson said.

Thomson prefers to break up the lefties in the order. Hitting Turner leadoff, who went 2-for-5 with a home run in Saturday’s loss, could be an option, but the Phillies manager says he likes the 2-3-4 combination of Turner, Bryce Harper and Nick Castellanos.

Here’s the lineup for Sunday’s series finale against the Boston Red Sox:

1. Bryson Stott, second base
2. Trea Turner, shortstop
3. Bryce Harper, designated hitter
4. Nick Castellanos, right field
5. Kyle Schwarber, left field
6. J.T. Realmuto, catcher
7. Alec Bohm, first base
8. Brandon Marsh, center field
9. Edmundo Sosa, third base

Phillies Notes

• Ranger Suárez will make his third and most likely final rehab start for the Lehigh Valley IronPigs on Sunday. He’ll throw around 65 pitches across four innings. Thomson said he will be good for around five innings and 85 pitches in his next outing, which is expected to be with the big league club next weekend against the Colorado Rockies.

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