The stage is set: the Philadelphia Phillies will host the Los Angeles Dodgers in the National League Division Series starting Saturday at Citizens Bank Park.
The third-seeded Dodgers advanced after dispatching the sixth-seeded Cincinnati Reds in a two-game Wild Card sweep in Los Angeles. Their reward is a best-of-five showdown with the second-seeded Phillies. With the opponent now confirmed, the focus shifts to roster construction.
Manager Rob Thomson and his staff must decide on the 26-man group for the NLDS. The rotation appears straightforward, with Cristopher Sánchez slated for Game 1, followed by Ranger Suárez and Jesús Luzardo. The tougher choices will come when finalizing the bullpen.
Phillies’ bullpen raises the most questions ahead of naming NLDS roster
The Phillies usually go with 12 pitchers instead of the maximum 13, which leaves nine bullpen spots for the NLDS. The locks are clear: Jhoan Duran, Matt Strahm, Orion Kerkering, Tanner Banks, and David Robertson. After that, things get less certain.
One major decision involves longtime starter Aaron Nola. Despite a rough year, he finished strong with a dominant outing in his last regular-season start. It would be surprising if the career Phillie wasn’t included, though manager Rob Thomson noted he’s never pitched out of the bullpen. Nola has said he’s open to whatever role is needed, including relief work.
Walker Buehler, who joined the team on August 31, impressed in his brief time with a 0.66 ERA over 13 2/3 innings. He also brings past postseason relief experience. Taijuan Walker, meanwhile, logged 20 innings of solid bullpen work this year (3.15 ERA) and could be in line for redemption after being left off the 2024 NLDS roster.
Other possibilities include lefty Tim Mayza and right-handers Lou Trivino, Max Lazar, Seth Johnson, Alan Rangel, and Michael Mercado. Jordan Romano, still recovering from a nerve issue that landed him on the IL, appears to be the least likely option. All of them are on the 40-man roster and with the club this week.
Phillies’ bench for NLDS roster coming into focus
The bench picture looks much clearer. Utility man Edmundo Sosa is essentially a lock, as is Rafael Marchán in the backup catcher role. It would be unexpected for the Phillies to keep a third catcher like Garrett Stubbs, or to take Stubbs over Marchán.
With Johan Rojas sidelined for the NLDS due to a quad injury, the final bench spots likely come down to Weston Wilson and Otto Kemp — assuming the Phillies go with 14 position players.
Wilson struggled this year, batting just .198 across 125 plate appearances and dipping to .171 in September. Still, his versatility as a right-handed bat who can cover both the infield and outfield keeps him in the mix.
Kemp, also a right-handed, multi-positional option, posted a .234 average and a .709 OPS during two big-league stints. He saved his best for last, though, turning in a strong September with a .250 average, an .856 OPS, four homers, and 11 RBIs in just 57 trips to the plate.
Phillies’ outfield rotation remains a puzzle heading into NLDS
The last question mark is how Thomson will handle his outfield alignment. All four players from the late-season rotation are set to make the roster, but their starting roles and playing time are still uncertain.
Harrison Bader appears locked in as the everyday center fielder. That leaves Brandon Marsh, Max Kepler, and Nick Castellanos to cover the corner spots. Marsh primarily handled left field late in the year, while Kepler and Castellanos shared right field duties in September. Kepler also logged a few starts in left, making four of his 17 there in the final month.
Thomson’s decisions will likely come down to matchups, particularly whether the Dodgers start a righty or a lefty. Of their potential starters, Blake Snell is the lone southpaw.
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