Phillies 2026 News and Discussion

[andyb]

It will be very interesting to see what happens with Painter when Wheeler comes back. We are only going to see 2-3 starts for Walker and Painter before Wheeler comes back and ideally you want Painter pitching regularly in a rotation. I have to think the odds of Painter being sent down even if he pitches relatively well are greater than 50-50

[zambonir]

You just jinxed them for tonight

I think Painter's a lock so long as he doesn't follow the Abel trajectory. But if he is no better than Walker and Walker is consistent (and best-suited to starting, which he is) you can certainly make the argument.

It also seems fairly likely they will need six starters all year (off and on), so if Painter did go down it might not be for long. But I don't think Walker is truly ahead of him, and is just as likely to go to the pen as Painter is AAA. I think Walker starting as the #4 is just a respect thing and a less pressure for Painter thing.

[andyb]

Sending Painter down for a few weeks does get them an extra year of control so it should not be frowned upon. Ideally Walker pitches well enough that they don't really need Painter in April. We'll need all 6 and probably more than that at some point.

[zambonir]

But don't they lose the PPI (unless he hits other benchmarks)?

[andyb]

They would lose the PPI. But its harder for a pitcher to get that anyways with the ROY award. Crawford's going to win it anyway, right?

I hope Painter is lights out and he stays but it is more likely that he is closer to average and they bide some time.

[zambonir]

Well there's always a Top 3 CY finish.

[andyb]

Marsh in for Crawford tonight against a LHP. I don't think they'll do this that often but it is the consequence of 2 of our reserves (Kemp and Moore) having pretty similar defensive profiles that do not really include CF. I would give Crawford a steadier role early on though he has been really anxious at the plate and guess they want to have him watch a bit.

[flyers19rw]

Two balls fell into CF tonight that Marsh could not field but Crawford probably would have.

[zambonir]

Yeah that seemed like a pretty questionable move. You are playing a useless bat in CF regardless so why downgraded the fielding. But they must have felt Crawford needed a message (or break) already.

[BaseballCat]

I have no problem with giving Crawford a day off this early. Would rather have him in with Painter pitching tomorrow. Giving bench players a game with Walker on the bump.

[zambonir]

But Marsh isn't a bench player.

[BaseballCat]

Yes, but Marchán, kemp and Sosa are. Marsh moves to center when Crawford sits. Do I love this lineup - no, but would rather have it with walker than Painter. Just my my opinion.

[zambonir]

Yeah but Kemp and Sosa are going to play against LHP all the time. Has nothing to do with who is pitching for the Phillies or Crawford. Marsh stinks against LHP, we don't actually know if Crawford does yet. Granted, we also don't know if Crawford is a better CF than Marsh. But in both cases playing him is the only way to find out. He should have played tonight and tomorrow. If he didn't play because they are already unhappy with him, at least that's a reason. If he didn't because they are already desperate. it's not.

The only move that had anything to do with our own pitching tonight is they wanted JT to catch Painter.

[BaseballCat]

I don’t think they are unhappy with him. Started off hot, but cooled. Sat against a lefty. Marsh has sucked against lefties, but has been one of our best hitters this short season. I’m not going to read much into this yet. I hope they brush off this loss, but the bats need to get going

[zambonir]

I mean, not really unhappy, but three games is a bit soon to need a reset. The injury to DeGrom kind of put a bump in all their plans. But this highlights the flawed make-up of the bench and the loss of Rojas, even if he wasn't a sure thing. They need a RHB back-up CF, whether to face lefty starters or to give the manager more options against relievers. A bench with zero true OFs is also problem. Moore had the leverage of his opt-out but my guess is he gives way to De La Cruz or a waiver pick-up pretty quick. Or Kemp (who has options) does. Still doesn't fix the CF thing per se but it's something.

[BaseballCat]

Agreed, the bench is not ideal, but there are not a lot of great options. Let's hope they jell soon.

[LoneStarPhan]

Marsh is hot but it was this game that really helps him, getting 2 hits and a walk. Before tonight, both Marsh and Crawford had 3 hits in 9 at bats and one walk. Not like Marsh was hot and Crawford was not, although Marsh does have more power. I really hate starting this not playing against LH pitchers for Crawford this soon into the season. He needs to start regularly regardless of who is pitching for several weeks before messing with him. I hope this is only a day off, but I'm afraid the manager is going to mess up a good prospect. I have seen this too often.

But it is a long season and all regulars need occasional off days and the bench players do need some playing time. I remain optimistic in spite of the now 3 game losing streak after an opening day win.

[zambonir]

Crawford is a bit of a Catch-22. There are questions about him as a hitter. There are questions about him as a CF. But the only way to answer them are to play him. If the sole priority is winning games, you platoon him with a RHB CF and delay answering those questions. But this is the path they chose. It's too bad Bader priced himself out of being in a rotation, because that is probably who he is (he's hitting .100 so far for the 0-3 Giants). And it's too bad about Rojas as well.

[BaseballCat]

I think they will play Crawford more regardless of who is pitching, but we will see. He is not going to play as regular as the top 3, but he may get one day off per week. If it is more than that he may be better served at LV. I currently don't read a lot into him sitting today. It is good to see the game at all angles in the majors, that includes the bench. If he plays like he has, he will play.

[andyb]

They had 2 games in a row against lefties. They just are giving Crawford an occasional rest. Nothing more than that. They still consider Marsh a better overall hitter.

I am more worried about the heart of the lineup (Harper, Turner, Schwarber) than marginal lineup decisions at the back.