Phillies Game 2 Lineup: Edmundo Sosa gets the nod over Bryson Stott, Nick Castellanos and Otto Kemp highlight outfield shakeup

The Phillies are going into Game 2 of the NLDS without Harrison Bader in the starting lineup. The guy who’s been an instant spark since arriving at the trade deadline, both at the plate and patrolling center field, is sidelined with a groin issue that cropped up in Game 1’s disaster.

The good news is that there’s no tear, no serious damage. The bad news is that he can’t run at full speed, which kind of matters when your job is literally chasing down baseballs in center field.

New Faces Tonight for the Phillies

Let's get it#RedOctober pic.twitter.com/DrIup8dFM3

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) October 6, 2025

What Happened

Bader felt something grab in his groin running to second in Game 1. He gutted it out for a while, even laying out for that spectacular diving catch in the fifth inning, but eventually waved himself out. Imaging on Sunday showed nothing major, but when he showed up Monday, the team made the call: he can swing, but he can’t fly around the outfield.

Phillies now face ‘must-win’ scenario in Game 2 after losing 5-3 on Saturday night

Phillies Game 2 Lineup:

Lining up for Game 2#RedOctober pic.twitter.com/4ryCwQAUWh

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) October 6, 2025

Edmundo Sosa gets the start over Bryson Stott

Sosa will take second base over Bryson Stott. With Blake Snell being a lefty on the mound, this makes sense. No denying that Sosa is a spark at the plate, even though he missed barreling one out of the park on Saturday night.

The New Look Outfield

With Bader out, the Phillies are rolling with Otto Kemp in left, Brandon Marsh in center, and Nick Castellanos in right to take on Blake Snell.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by The Liberty Line (@libertylinephl)

Otto Kemp was probably going to get a look anyway with the lefty on the mound, but now the spotlight’s on him even more. Thomson’s been pumping Kemp up as “a gamer” who’s even-keeled and ready for the moment and honestly, I couldn’t agree more.

“The Otto Kemp Game” is here. Welcome to Red October in Philly. You get trust from the fans by producing, so make it happen tonight and we’ll fight our way back into this series.

Harrison Bader will be missed

Since coming over from Minnesota, Bader’s been hitting .305 and playing Gold Glove–caliber defense. He changes games and changes the vibes. Losing him in what’s basically a must-win spot is going to hurt.

I do give him credit for saying that he’s not right and didn’t want to drag the team down. That’s the kind of self-awareness we don’t always see in professional athletes.

The hope is that he’ll be ready to go once the series shifts to L.A. on Wednesday. Until then, it’s up to Kemp, Marsh, and Castellanos to cover the gaps, literally and figuratively.

Game 1 was already a meltdown.

Now the Phillies have to dig out of an 0-1 hole without their deadline spark plug roaming center. Win tonight, and you reset the series. Lose, and you’re staring at elimination in Los Angeles.

Bader will be back soon, but for now it’s next man up. Jesús Luzardo on the mound, Doc’s no-hitter tribute before first pitch, and The Bank ready to explode.

No excuses. Time to hold up their end of the bargain.

NLDS Game 2 Pitching Preview: Jesús Luzardo vs. Blake Snell

Join The Chase