The Phillies haven’t faced a true left-handed starting pitcher since Aug. 15, a full week ago. After facing Quinn Mathews on Saturday, they’re not set to face another anytime soon.
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That’s why Bryson Stott, who’s hitting .317 with a .905 OPS in August, wasn’t in the starting lineup against the St. Louis Cardinals. Neither were Brandon Marsh or Justin Crawford. Derek Hill, Bryan De La Cruz, and Edmundo Sosa got the start in their place.
“I’ve just got to keep everybody in the mix a little bit,” interim manager Don Mattingly said. “We hardly see any lefties right now, and these guys got to be ready to play. If I don’t ever put them in there, it’s tough. He doesn’t need a rest. He’s fine. It’s just trying to keep everyone in the mix.”
Stott, despite being a lefty hitter, actually has hit lefties better than righties this year, hitting .301 with an .839 OPS against lefties vs. .251 and .727 against righties. Saturday was the first game he hasn’t started since the All-Star break.
The Mariners are set to throw three righties when the Phillies roll into town. The Cardinals haven’t released their starting pitcher for Sunday, but Matthew Liberatore, the rotation’s only lefty, pitched on Aug. 19, so he almost certainly won’t take the mound for the series finale.
Tanner Banks injury update
Reliever Tanner Banks has been on the injured list since July 9 with a left forearm strain, but he threw about 30 pitches in a live bullpen session before Saturday’s game.
Mattingly said if Banks continues to feel good, he could go on a minor-league rehab assignment during the Phillies’ road trip.
Before the injury, Banks was in the middle of by far the worst season of his major league career, with a 7.14 ERA and a 2.00 WHIP in 28 appearances, compared to a career 4.01 ERA and 1.26 WHIP. Per Statcast, his expected ERA is only 4.41, which would be his second-worst ERA, but it indicates he could be due for some positive regression.
When he returns, Mattingly said the Phillies are still considering all options for how to use him, including in a bulk role.
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“The last time he went down, we did think about bulk a little bit, obviously he’s throwing 30 pitches [Saturday],” Mattingly said. “I don’t think it would be all one-inning stints in the minor leagues. They’re going to try and get him one-plus, build him up, as long as he’s ready for that.”
Kyle Schwarber, first baseman?
Kyle Schwarber took a few grounders pregame at first base, but Mattingly said there haven’t been any recent conversations about giving Schwarber another game at first. Schwarber has appeared in four games at first, most recently on Aug. 10.
“He may be thinking that because he came out here today,” Mattingly said. “Usually when he comes out, he might be thinking that, but we haven’t really talked about it.”
Pregame, Schwarber met with Brandon Graham and Joe Eitl, a heart and liver transplant recipient, who threw out the first pitch pregame with the Gift of Life Donor Program.
Tony Gwynn Jr. is a former major league outfielder and son of late Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn. Over the last two years, he got to know new Phillies second baseman Luis Arraez, whose contact skills at the plate often draw comparisons to Gwynn. Tony Jr. joined Phillies Extra to discuss his father, Arraez, and the bonds that connect them. Watch here.
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