Phillies news and rumors 8/31: Rob Thomson discusses potential playoff rotation

Rob Thomson is in his first full season as Phillies manager. (David J. Griffin/Icon Sportswire)

The Philadelphia Phillies (74-59) currently sit atop the National League Wild Card standings. But with 29 games remaining on their 2023 regular season schedule, there are no guarantees they’ll make their second consecutive postseason appearance.

Make no mistake, though. Philadelphia is in a good position in regards to making the playoffs. Thanks to a hot month of August that resulted in a 17-10 monthly record, Rob Thomson’s club currently has more than a 90% chance to make the postseason, according to both Baseball Reference and FanGraphs.

With that, Thomson has already started to craft what his potential playoff rotation could look like.

It’s clear Zack Wheeler would start Game 1 of any postseason series for the Phillies. The veteran right-hander has been pitching well of late. He has a 2.68 ERA in eight starts during the season’s second half and is hoping his recent performance puts him in the NL Cy Young race.

After Wheeler, there has been some talk about who would start Game 2 of a potential Wild Card Series for the defending NL champs. Aaron Nola hasn’t had a great season, so there are people who aren’t all that confident in Nola to start such a game. Thomson is not one of those of people.

Appearing on Sportsradio 94WIP Wednesda y morning, the Phils skipper said that Nola would start the second game of a playoff series when asked if there was an open competition for that spot. Thomson also noted his trust in Nola.

Thomson answered, “I think [Nola’s the] number two [starter]. The last three starts, [his] stuff just keeps getting better. The command, the way he’s attacking hitters keeps getting better.” He went on to add, “This guy’s battled tested… he prepares, he competes, he’s not afraid of the big moment. He wants that. When he’s challenged, he rises to it. I trust Aaron Nola as much as I trust anybody and I want him on the mound come playoff time.”

The three starts Thomson referred to have been better than Nola’s previous 24 starts, where he posted a 4.49 ERA and 1.14 WHIP. The 30-year-old soon-to-be-free agent has a 2.84 ERA in his previous three outings with a 0.95 WHIP, 21 strikeouts and six walks. His last start against the Cardinals may have been his best of the season. Nola went seven innings on Sunday, allowing just one hit while striking out nine batters.

So with Thomson confident in Nola, who could start in a Game 3, or even Game 4, scenario if it comes to that? The list includes Ranger Suárez, Taijuan Walker, Cristopher Sánchez and Michael Lorenzen. There are no guarantees when it comes to those four pitchers, though.

When asked if a conversation needs to be had or if the guys listed above understand there’s a competition for spots three and four in the Phillies playoff rotation, Thomson said there’s no need for a conversation.

“No, I think it’s understood”, the Phillies manager replied. “They know that and I don’t think there needs to be a conversation about that. They go out there and compete to the best level they can every start. And at the end of the day, they know we’re going to pick the top four guys. That’s just the way it is.”

Without truly knowing Thomson’s thoughts or plans, it seems likely Suárez and Walker would fill out the third and fourth spots in Philadelphia’s postseason rotation while Sánchez and Lorenzen move to the bullpen.

The left-handed Suárez played an important role for the Phillies last October, posting a 1.23 ERA in five appearances. He’s had his fair share of ups and downs this season, but overall, Suárez has been solid with a 3.88 ERA in 17 starts. He is on the injured list right now, but he’s scheduled to be activated this weekend and start on Sunday against the Milwaukee Brewers.

As for Walker, he’s only appeared in one playoff game during his big league career — Game 1 of the 2017 NLDS between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers. Starting for Arizona, Walker worked just one inning, giving up four earned runs and receiving the loss. The veteran has been good for the Phillies this year, however. He has a 3.33 ERA over his last 20 starts.

Thomson’s plans won’t matter if the Phillies can’t reach the postseason. September starts on Friday and that hasn’t been a kind month to the club in recent years. They are, however, currently in control of their own destiny and sitting in a comfortable position as the top Wild Card team in the NL.

Must-read (or watch) Phillies content

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