The Philadelphia Phillies will take the best record in baseball to Miami this weekend, as they play a three-game set at loanDepot Park against the lowly Marlins, who are off to a miserable 10-29 start. In theory, the Phillies should sweep the Fish, bolstering their 26-12 start to the season.
Manager Rob Thomson revealed before Wednesday afternoon’s loss to the Toronto Blue Jays that the Phillies will stay in turn in their rotation this weekend, starting Ranger Suárez, Taijuan Walker and Zack Wheeler against the Marlins.
There had been some thought that the Phillies might consider using six starters this time through the rotation, given that after an off day on Thursday, they will play 10 days in a row. At least for this weekend, the rotation order will remain unchanged.
Certainly, it’s possible that Spencer Turnbull makes a start at some point during the week, when the Phillies will have a four-game home-and-home series with the New York Mets. If that happens, one would think the Phillies will still have Wheeler, Suárez and Aaron Nola pitch on normal four rest. Wheeler specifically seemed frustrated with the extra day of rest after laboring through a start agains the Los Angeles Angels on May 1.
“I think it was more just routine this time, having more days rest, not being as sharp, I think that’s part of it,” Wheeler said. “Some points in the season you probably need it, but it’s just another day of trying to keep that rhythm that I’ve had going, just another day to try to keep it in sync.”
It may also be that the Phillies don’t feel they need a sixth starter as they go through the rotation for only 10 games in a row, and use Turnbull in relief, potentially as a piggyback with Cristopher Sánchez. There will be longer stretches later this season without an off day where the Phillies will need Turnbull. Also, if either Walker or Sánchez struggle, that could lead to an opening for Turnbull to rejoin the rotation, as could an injury to any of the five current starters.
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