Phillies Roundup: Rob Thomson talks World Series roster, potential changes to the lineup and rotation before heading to Houston
The Philadelphia Phillies are just four wins away from being crowned World Champions of Baseball for the first time since 2008. The 2022 World Series will begin on Friday night in Houston against the Astros.
The Phillies will travel to Houston later today, and Rob Thomson spoke with the media earlier this morning, providing updates on the road ahead, including his World Series roster, rotation, and just the general vibe in the clubhouse before Friday.
Rob Thomson Confirms Game 1 and 2 Starters
Thomson kicked off today’s press conference with confirmation that Aaron Nola will get the nod as the Phillies Game 1 starter, with Zack Wheeler slated to pitch Game 2 on an extra day’s rest.
With Nola slated for Game 1, he will now be available to pitch Game 5 in Philadelphia. Zack Wheeler will throw Game 2 and Game 6 (if necessary).
I know it’s worrisome for Phillies fans to see that Zack Wheeler may only pitch one game in this series when he is our team’s bonafide ace, but as always, in Rob Thomson we trust.
The general reasoning behind the switch up in the rotation lies within the numbers. Giving Zack Wheeler the extra day of rest has paid off in the past. Wheels has a 2.02 ERA this season on an extra day of rest, compared to a 3.66 on normal rest.
Changes to Phillies Roster Are Coming on Friday
Rob Thomson did say that the Phillies roster won’t be the same from top to bottom compared to the NLCS, but he won’t announce those changes until Friday.
The Astros do not carry a left-handed reliever, but all of their righties still pitch well to left-handed batters. The Phillies could look to add another lefty bat to the roster, whether that’s Darick Hall or Nick Maton. If Maton was the man added to the roster, I’d expect Dalton Guthrie to come off of the roster.
Potential Change to the Lineup
Thomson did not confirm or deny, but he did mention that he has thought about a change to the lineup to protect a bat like Bryce Harper.
Maybe Harper will slide back up to the 3-hole? That seems like the most likely scenario if a change was made, but Thomson did not announce anything this morning. Those changes will take place once the Game 1 lineup is announced on Friday.
Thomson Speaks on Justin Verlander
The Phillies will see Justin Verlander in Game 1, who as you probably know, has been one of the most dominant pitchers in the last 20 years. Thomson knows that the lineup will have a tough task ahead of them but says they have to treat him just like any other pitcher.
More Phillies Notes from Thomson
- Wheeler’s ankle is fine after being hit by a line drive in Game 5
- Super proud of Zach Eflin and all he’s been through
- Happy the city has “fallen back in love with this ballclub.”
- Everybody still has the same goal: Win.
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