The Phillies didn’t get the luxury of lining up their October pitching the easy way. Instead, Zack Wheeler had to take the ball on the final day of the regular season, and Philadelphia used his start to beat the Tampa Bay Rays 7-3 and lock down a Wild Card spot.
That win got the Phillies into the postseason, but it also left them with a tricky Game 1 puzzle. Wheeler wasn’t able to be pushed back, and that has forced the club to rethink how it wants to get through the opener of the NLWC. According to Matt Gelb of The Athletic on X, the picture should get clearer Monday morning when the team works out in Atlanta.
One of the ideas on the table is a bullpen game, with Jesús Luzardo and Andrew Painter among the arms being considered to cover the 27 outs in Game 1.
Luzardo’s return added another layer to the conversation. He came off the injured list in Game 162 and appeared in a game for the first time since his complete-game shutout against the Atlanta Braves on Sept.
- It was also his first time pitching out of the bullpen since 2021, when he was with the Oakland Athletics.
The outing was brief, which is exactly what Philadelphia would want if it plans to use him again right away. Luzardo needed just four pitches to get through the eighth inning, a return that had to feel good for the Phillies and their fans.
“The Phillies are working through their pitching situation for Game 1 of the Wild Card Series, several people said. It could be some combination that involves a cast of Jesús Luzardo, Andrew Painter and others. They'll have some clarity at Monday morning's workout in ATL.”
Painter’s timing makes him another real possibility. He last pitched on Sept. 24, so he would be on normal rest if called upon for Game 1 against the Braves. Earlier in the week, there was also discussion about the rookie being a candidate to start Game 3.
That changed when the Phillies decided to use Aaron Nola on two days’ rest. Nola started on Sept. 23, then came back on Sept. 26 after throwing 88 pitches, a move that may leave him unavailable for Game 1 but in position to be ready for Game 3 on four days’ rest.
For now, the one thing that does appear settled is Cristopher Sanchez. He is slated to start Game 2, with the chance to either send Philadelphia into the NLDS or help keep the season going. The rest of the plan, though, is still taking shape.
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