The Phillies are heading into Game 1 of the National Wild Card Round with a lineup built to make life uncomfortable for Chris Sale.
Philadelphia has taken a hit before the opener. All-Star second baseman Luis Arraez is out with an ankle injury and will not play in the Wild Card Round, while Jesus Luzardo is still working back after missing most of September.
Luzardo did return to throw one inning in the final game of the regular season, and he will serve as the opener on Tuesday, but he is not at full strength. What comes after him remains the question.
For now, the focus is on how the Phillies will try to navigate Sale, one of the league’s top left-handers. Don Mattingly is loading up with right-handed bats in an effort to pressure him early and see if Philadelphia can create some offense.
The lineup reflects that plan. Bryson Stott is in there, but the most notable right-handed additions are Bryan De La Cruz and Derek Hill, who give the Phillies a different look against Sale.
Hill is batting fifth, and De La Cruz is hitting sixth. They do not have much history against him - just 15 at-bats combined - but De La Cruz has two hits against Sale, and Hill has previously doubled off him.
Alec Bohm is another name to watch. The former All-Star starts at first base and has had real success against Sale over his career, posting an .838 OPS with a home run in 23 at-bats against the lefty.
Here is how the Phillies will line up in Game 1 at Atlanta, set for 2:00 p.m. ET on NBC/94WIP: Turner at shortstop, Schwarber at designated hitter, Harper in right field, Bohm at first base, Hill in center field, De La Cruz in left field, Stott at second base, Sosa at third base, Realmuto at catcher, with Luzardo listed as the left-handed opener.
It’s a tough assignment from the jump for Philadelphia, and Sale makes the margin for error thin. If the Phillies can push this game into the bullpen, Marsh and Justin Crawford could be options off the bench later on.
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