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Phillies NLDS Roster Prediction: Otto Kemp, Weston Wilson, or Both?
By Luke Arcaini
Published:
The Phillies’ magic number to clinch a first-round bye is two with six games to go. That means the Phillies need to win two of their last six, and if they’d only win one, the Dodgers just need to lose one more game this week.
I think we can safely say that the Phillies will get the bye. They won’t have to play in the Wild Card round and they’ll get to start with a fresh rotation in the order they want on Saturday, October 4th at Citizens Bank Park.
I don’t think there are as many questions as past years about the postseason roster, but there are a few talking points. Here’s what I think the 26-man roster will look like, as of Tuesday, September 23rd.
Catchers
JT Realmuto, Rafael Marchan
Obviously, JT Realmuto will be on the roster. Garrett Stubbs was called up as the third catcher when rosters expanded back on September 1st, but Rob Thomson has said multiple times since Stubbs’ promotion that Marchan is still their backup catcher.
Infielders
Bryce Harper, Bryson Stott, Trea Turner, Alec Bohm, Edmundo Sosa, Otto Kemp
Three of these six players have been hurt or are still on the IL over the last few weeks, but it seems that all three will be ready to go for the postseason. Alec Bohm had a great first series back in Arizona, going 8 for 13 with 2 doubles, 1 homer, and 4 RBIs. Edmundo Sosa is expected to be activated this week, and Thomson continued to give more positive updates on Turner, who will face three pitchers from the IronPigs early this week.
Otto Kemp is the only infielder that isn’t a lock to be on the roster, but I believe he’ll be with the team in October. He’s earned it. He may not play elite defense at third, but he was an early-season spark for an offense that needed it, and is hitting will in September. The Phillies like his bat.
Outfielders
Brandon Marsh, Harrison Bader, Nick Castellanos, Max Kepler, Weston Wilson
Marsh, Bader, Castellanos, and Kepler are locks. Wilson has hit lefties well and gives the Phillies some more power from the outfield.
The only other outfield option would be Johan Rojas, who was optioned to AAA on August 1st to make room for Bader on the 26-man roster following the trade deadline. Rojas would provide pinch-running and an elite late-game glove option. Rojas reportedly tweaked his right quad a few days ago in Lehigh Valley, so that would hurt his chances.
Starting Pitchers
Cristopher Sanchez, Ranger Suarez, Jesus Luzardo, Aaron Nola
With the way the NLDS off-days are set up, the Phillies will only need three starting pitchers in this series. The most likely scenario is throwing all three lefties, and I think it’ll be in the order I listed above.
Nola will obviously be on the roster, but I don’t think it’s incredibly likely he pitches in the NLDS.
Relief Pitchers
Jhoan Duran, David Robertson, Matt Strahm, Tanner Banks, Orion Kerkering, Walker Buehler, Tim Mayza, Taijuan Walker
Duran, Robertson, Strahm, Banks, and Kerkering are locks. I’d be absolutely shocked if Buehler wasn’t on the roster. Walker has earned a chance to pitch in the postseason, but not in a big role. Mayza is my only real “up for grabs” spot.
This could go to Lou Trivino or Max Lazar, but I think the Phillies would lean Mayza to give them a third lefty out of the pen for an earlier-inning option. If they were to carry a righty instead, I think it would be Trivino before Lazar.
Designated Hitter
Kyle Schwarber
This one’s pretty obvious.
Luke Arcaini writes about the Phillies for Crossing Broad, covers the Phillies for FOX Sports The Gambler, and co-hosts "Phillies Digest" on YouTube. The wave is the worst thing in all of sports. Contact: lukearcaini8@gmail.com