The Phillies made it to October, but the path into the NL Wild Card round came with a price: their pitching plan is a mess.
Philadelphia had to use Zack Wheeler in Game 162, and that alone puts the staff in a tough spot for the series against the Braves. MLB.com pointed straight at the problem, asking, "Keys to the matchup: How will the Phillies cobble together their pitching plans?" The site added, "One of baseball's elite hurlers will not be on full rest at any point during the Wild Card Series."
That pitcher is Wheeler, and while he would likely be the Game 3 starter on short rest if the Phillies get that far, even that setup is hardly locked in given everything else going on around him.
The opener Tuesday belongs to Jesus Luzardo, and there is at least some optimism after his quick 1-2-3 inning against the Tampa Bay Rays on Sunday. Still, with Luzardo just coming off the IL, there is not much reason for confidence yet.
Philadelphia plans to follow him with rookie Andrew Painter in a bulk role. Painter has flashed promise, especially after a much better second half of 2026, but he remains a wild card in his own right this October.
Cristopher Sanchez is lined up for Wednesday on normal rest, but the Phillies will need a stronger outing from him than what they have been getting lately.
And the rotation is only part of the issue. The bullpen behind it is just as shaky, with Jonathan Bowlan, Chase Shugart, Alex McFarlane, Jose Alvarado, Tanner Banks, and Tim Mayza all in the mix.
Jhaon Duran is the arm they can trust to finish games, but getting the ball to him has been the real problem. That has been the Phillies’ struggle, and it is the reason their pitching questions feel so much bigger than anything else heading into this series.
The offense could absolutely be part of the story, but the biggest concern sits on the mound. With Luzardo starting Game 1 and Wheeler unavailable to operate on full rest, Philadelphia’s postseason fate may come down to whether this staff can hold together long enough to matter.
In Other News...
Braves Wild Card Roster Includes Two Surprise Bench Decisions
The Braves Wild Card roster brought a couple of notable bench choices into focus as Atlanta set up for the 2026 NL opener. Non-roster infielders Rowdy Tellez and Luke Williams both made the cut after being in the organization before Sept. 1, giving the club additional infield flexibility and some extra matchup options if the games get tight late.
Atlanta also made corresponding roster moves to clear the way, with right-hander Ricky Vanasco designated for assignment and Elieser Hernndez removed from the 40-man roster. The Braves are carrying 11 pitchers for the round, which leaves the bench built around versatility as much as depth, a sign the team is preparing for a short series where one pinch-hit decision can matter just as much as a bullpen call. [Read more 🡒]
Braves Could Get An Early Phillies Test From A Risky Game 1 Plan
The Phillies have already locked up a postseason berth, but their Game 1 Wild Card pitching plan suggests they are willing to get creative right away. According to Todd Zolecki of MLB.com, Philadelphia is planning to use Jesus Luzardo as an opener, with Andrew Painter following out of the bullpen, a move that reflects how carefully the club is trying to manage its arms as October begins.
For Atlanta, the setup matters because it could create an early look at a Phillies staff that is being handled with some flexibility and risk. Luzardo is returning from the injured list, which makes the opener idea a little more volatile, and Painter could wind up in a bulk relief role after those first innings. The result is a Game 1 approach that may not look conventional, but it could shape how the Braves would have to attack Philadelphia if the matchup comes together. [Read more 🡒]
Braves Flipped Game 1 Late In A Win Fans Will Debate
For most of Game 1, the Braves and Phillies traded the kind of October blows that can swing a short series before the first night is even over. Philadelphia got the first big hit from Alec Bohm, then the Braves answered through Ozzie Albies, whose RBI triple briefly put Atlanta in front and set up a tense finish that felt every bit like postseason baseball.
JT Realmutos two-run triple pushed the Phillies back ahead, but Atlanta never let the game slip away for long. Austin Riley changed the tone in the eighth with a go-ahead homer that sent the Braves to a 5-3 win, leaving both sides with plenty to unpack after a opener that had momentum shifting almost every inning. [Read more 🡒]