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Trea Turner got six more at-bats in a live BP session on Wednesday at Citizens Bank Park. He plans to get a few more on Thursday, just like he plans to increase the intensity of his running. Phillies manager Rob Thomson said he wants to see Turner run at 100 percent before he rejoins the lineup, which he hopes will happen before the end of the weekend. Turner isn’t running at top speed yet. “Probably 75 percent,” Thomson said Wednesday. “I don’t know. Seventy-seven [percent].” There is a healthy optimism that Turner will get there soon. If it doesn’t happen before the end of the weekend, the Phillies absolutely expect him to be ready to play in the NL Division Series. That would be great news, obviously. Turner hasn’t played since Sept. 7 because of a strained right hamstring. But even though he hasn’t played in more than two weeks, he still leads the National League in batting average (.305) and hits (179). He still ranks third in WAR (6.7) in the NL, behind Shohei Ohtani (7.2) and Geraldo Perdomo (6.9), according to FanGraphs. |
The Phillies on Wednesday clinched a first-round bye over the Dodgers. It has been a focus for the Phils, of course, but it was pretty much a lock entering the week, barring a 1964-like collapse. It explains why Thomson’s main concern this week has been getting through the regular season with Turner and everybody else healthy. “It’s always about health, but there’s a lot more focus for me on the health of the players, to strike that balance, to be able to win games, get in, get the bye, try to get the best record, and keeping people healthy,” Thomson said. “Not pushing relievers, position players, everybody. It’s always on my mind, but probably a little more so right now.” Marlins designated hitter Heriberto Hernández fouled a pitch off J.T. Realmuto’s right hand on Tuesday night. It looked ugly, but X-rays were negative. Realmuto suffered only a bruise on his right index finger. He got incredibly lucky. “He’s super important to us,” Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sánchez said via the team’s interpreter. “He’s one of the best catchers in the game. We’re basically nothing without him. So he’s just a key player and a key piece for all of us.” |
The same can be said for Sánchez, who will start Sunday’s regular-season finale, then Game 1 of the NL Division Series on Oct. 4; and fellow left-handers Ranger Suárez and Jesús Luzardo. The Phillies need to keep each of them healthy, especially with Zack Wheeler’s season over and no clear choice to be the No. 4 starter, although Aaron Nola has the edge over fellow right-handers Walker Buehler and Taijuan Walker. So watch the final four regular-season games this week to see if Turner can return to the lineup and win the Phillies’ first batting title since Richie Ashburn in 1958, if Kyle Schwarber can pass Ryan Howard for the franchise’s single-season home run record (he is three away), if the bullpen can get on a roll, etc. But mostly, like Thomson, just hold your breath. |
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MLB MORNING LINEUP PODCAST |
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Which Phillies player has the highest OPS in postseason history (minimum 75 plate appearances)? A. Kyle Schwarber B. Greg Luzinski C. Jayson Werth D. Bryce Harper |
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Schwarber’s 55th homer of the season was also his 23rd against a left-handed pitcher. That's the most by a lefty batter against lefty pitchers in a single season, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. Kyle Schwarber: 23 (2025)
Matt Olson: 22 (2021)
Stan Musial: 22 (1949)
Barry Bonds: 21 (2002)
Ken Griffey Jr.: 21 (1996 and '98)
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The Phillies this week named their Paul Owens Award winners, presented annually to their best Minor League player and pitcher. They named Otto Kemp their Player of the Year. Kemp got to camp this spring as a non-roster invitee. He started the season in Triple-A, then joined the Phillies on June 7. He slashed .310/.417/.570 with 24 doubles, one triple, 16 home runs and 67 RBIs with the IronPigs. Kemp has a chance to make the Phillies’ 26-man postseason roster. The Phils named right-hander Griff McGarry their Pitcher of the Year. He went 2-5 with a 3.44 ERA in a combined 21 starts with Single-A Clearwater, Double-A Reading and Triple-A Lehigh Valley. He struck out 124 and walked 49 in 83 2/3 innings. He held opponents to a .180 batting average. |
ON THIS DATE IN PHILLIES HISTORY |
Sept. 25, 2015: Phillies outfielder Aaron Altherr hits an inside-the-park grand slam against the Nationals. It was the Phillies' first inside-the-park grand slam since Aug. 8, 1956, when Ted Kazanski hit one against the New York Giants at Polo Grounds, according to Elias Sports Bureau. |
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D. Bryce Harper He has a 1.153 OPS in 143 postseason plate appearances with the Phillies. He is followed by Werth (.966), Luzinski (.944) and Schwarber (.933). |
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