The Phillies announced their 26-man roster for the World Series. Aaron Nola will start Game 1 tonight against the Astros.
Two changes were made to the group that defeated the Padres in the NLCS. Right-hander Nick Nelson and infielder Nick Maton have been added to the roster, replacing left-hander Bailey Falter and outfielder Dalton Guthrie. Nelson was on the NLDS roster in place of the then-injured David Robertson, but Nelson will now take the spot of Falter, who was rostered for the entirety of Philadelphia’s postseason run. Maton is back on the roster for the first time since the Wild Card Series, as Guthrie had been added for the NLDS and NLCS.
Neither Nelson or Maton have seen any action to date in the postseason, and Guthrie had one appearance as a pinch-runner and defensive replacement late in Game 3 of the NLDS. Falter had the most prominent appearance as the starter of Game 4 of the NLCS, though it was slated to be more of an opener role. Falter ended up retiring only two batters and was charged with four runs, though the Phillies rebounded from an early deficit for a 10-6 victory.
With the Astros so deep in right-handed bats, the Phillies felt the right-handed Nelson was the better option than the southpaw Falter, even though Nelson’s splits indicate that he has been slightly better against left-handed batters during his relatively brief (103 2/3 IP from 2020-22) career in the majors. Likewise, the left-handed hitting Maton actually has better splits against lefties than righties over his 216 career plate appearances, but he’ll get the nod over Guthrie (a right-handed hitter).
Right-Handed Pitchers
- Andrew Bellatti
- Connor Brogdon
- Seranthony Dominguez
- Zach Eflin
- Kyle Gibson
- Nick Nelson
- Aaron Nola (Game 1 starter)
- David Robertson
- Noah Syndergaard
- Zack Wheeler
Left-Handed Pitchers
Catchers
Infielders
Outfielders
I am praying no situation arises that warrants the use of Brad Hand. Glad to see Maton on here though. Could be a clutch pinch hitter against the righty heavy Astros and provides some additional utility in the outfield with Vierling.
That’s game 4 winner Brad Hand. Remember this agents when you go to teams and say your client had “x” amount of wins in relief.
I’m a little surprised the Phils are starting Nola instead of Wheeler in Game 1, but my guess is that they feel like they can score runs against Verlander more easily than they can against Framber Valdez (Game 2 starter). They are saving Wheeler to match up against Framber and hope to win a 2-1 or 3-2, low-scoring game against him.
Its all about getting both guys extra rest
I think it had more to do with Wheeler pitching Game 5 against the Padres on Sunday and giving him an extra day of rest. Now he and Nola will both go on 5 full days off. Part of the calculation was probably the way Nola shut down the Astros in the last regular season series too, but Rob Thompson obviously knew immediately, because he apparently told Nola on the field while they celebrated winning the NLCS..
They said it had to do with rest days for Wheeler and his performance on short rest. He’s statistically better, longer into the game when on full rest, according to the Phillies.
Go Phillies!
Aaron Nola shut down the Astros his last start of the year. Historically, Zach Wheeler is much better on that extra days rest. I think it’s a smart move.
Phillies in 6. Let’s go Phillies.
Glad to see the Phillies there unexpectedly, much better than watching Los Karens in the WS.
To think that Andrew Bellatti was out of the big leagues from 2016-20 and now he’s finally broken into a solid bullpen role and could even win a World Series ring. Good on him!
Go Phillies!!
Phillies in 5. Go Phillies.
The chances of that are slim to none
They have a better chance than judge coming back to the bronx zoo. Enjoy a long winter of question marks.
I think 6
Phillies literally have no chance. They won 1 game at the very most, and even that is unlikely
That is what the “experts” have been saying throughout the playoffs.
Didn’t they beat a few 100 win teams plus an equally tough Padres team to make the WS?!
Unlikely……but now a reality.
‘stros are in trouble, if Wheeler is on his game.
Win*
Plassmeyer > Nelson
Guess Phillies don’t want to Falter.
Will get swept by Houston even if they had a better rotation than Houston
Houston has better pitching I would give the Phillies the advantage in hitting but pitching wins championships. Astros in 6.
With the way the Phillies have been swinging the bats, they have more than a fighting chance to win this. If Nola & Wheeler keep dealing, their offense has enough punch to get to the best pitching staff in baseball (Houston).
The Astros are big favorites for a reason but it’s hard to measure heart in baseball and this Phillies team seems to have a ton of heart this year. I just hope it goes 7 games and may the best team win!
It’s on!!! Phillies in seven. (Astros in 5)
The Astros have to be favored, but the Phillies do have a shot at this. I think this year’s Astros lineup is not as difficult to get through without Correa, Brantley or the Gurriel and Altuve of past years. Tucker’s emergency ameliorates the loss of Brantley a bit. Pena has been great, but this is the biggest stage.
Phillies must win at least three of the four starts that Nola and Wheeler have coming.to have a chance.
Phillies have a chance at winning 1 game
Hah! They have a chance at winning four. This is baseball. The difference between good teams and bad is a two game swing in ten games. the Astros have lost their last two WS appearances…….while favored!!! Their only win, they cheated.
Nola dominated the lineup recently. They havent seen Wheeler yet, and he’s been pitching better than Nola.
The Phillies have a chance. It’s baseball.
From the guy who picked the Yankees to win the WS?!
So bitter. Phillies lineup far superior to Yankees rag tag bunch platoon pieces. No wonder judge says bye bye.
In Houston, then home to sweep !!
On average, the betting odds are about -170 for the Astros and +140 for the Phillies, So, the Astros are clear favorites. Can the Phillies win? Of course. Any team can win 4 games, and the Phillies are not just any team. Still, it’s not the most likely outcome. Like most people, I think, I hope they beat the odds, again, and win. Full disclosure: while I’m not a Phillies fan, I lived in Philly from 1982-1998. Just not in a Holiday Inn Express .;^)
Castellanos makes a diving catch in the bottom of the ninth to send the game to extras. And it was the Phillies defense that, at the beginning of the season, I had thought would do them in. Surprise, surprise.
Anybody who thinks the postseason isn’t different from the regular season should listen to his postgame explanation of why his defense has improved.
Said Castellanos to FOX: “I think that a lot of times I have trouble keeping attention during the regular season every day for nine innings, but with the postseason, this kind of baseball is incredible, you don’t have a choice but to be locked in, watching swings, watching balls come off the bat, I think that’s just kind of why I’m playing better.”
Yeah, Fink, that’s true. And, anybody who thinks Yankees fans booing will send Yankees (or other potential FAs) away should listen to Harper & Schwarber, who talk about the passion of the fans, and being booed when they do poorly. Ironically (not really), when they hit & win, they love the passion – go figure!
Justin Verlander is 0 for 6 in 6 postseason starts….. ouch.
Wheeler did not have it tonight . The bullpen has actually been strong so far.