The Race to October: A Look at the Phillies' Potential Playoff Pitching and Roster

It's that exciting time of year for baseball fans - the race to October. With just nine games left in the regular season, the Philadelphia Phillies are in a prime position to secure a spot in the playoffs. And while the cliches of taking it one day at a time may not apply, the Phillies have some key decisions to make in order to prepare for the postseason.

One of the first moves being made is the rearrangement of the rotation. Taijuan Walker will start on Friday against the Arizona Diamondbacks, with Walker Buehler serving as his piggyback partner out of the bullpen. This allows the Phillies to evaluate Buehler for a potential role as a right-handed reliever in the middle of games. It also allows them to keep Cristopher Sánchez on a schedule that lines up with Game 1 of the National League Division Series on October 4th.

While manager Rob Thomson wouldn't commit to a specific postseason rotation, the Phillies are leaning towards using their three left-handed starters - Sánchez, Ranger Suárez, and Jesús Luzardo - in the NLDS. This could mean Sánchez starting first, followed by Luzardo and then Suárez as a change of pace in the middle. Luzardo, who has a 3.16 ERA in his last 10 starts, is eager for the opportunity to start in the postseason and has been throwing more strikes and maintaining his stuff as he approaches a career high in innings pitched.

By rearranging the rotation this weekend, the Phillies can keep Sánchez on a routine by having him start on Tuesday against the Miami Marlins and then on Game 162 against the Minnesota Twins. This ensures he stays sharp and doesn't go too long between starts. As for Buehler, while he remains intriguing, the Phillies have no plans to use him as a starter in October. If they need a fourth starter in the NL Championship Series, they will likely turn to Aaron Nola.

Meanwhile, the Phillies have been closely monitoring the progress of Trea Turner, who is recovering from a mild hamstring strain. While he's been working on his recovery in Philadelphia, the team is encouraged by his progress and believes he will be ready to return to the active roster before the regular season ends. However, his number of at-bats could depend on the race for the batting title. Turner, who is currently hitting .305, is being cautious and ensuring he's as sharp as possible for the playoffs. The Phillies have also been cautious with their other injured infielders, giving Alec Bohm time to heal an inflamed shoulder and expecting Edmundo Sosa to return when eligible on September 23rd.

But one potential wildcard in the Phillies' postseason roster is Johan Rojas. The team may consider carrying him as an extra hitter, offering elite speed and defense for late-game situations. Rojas has been benefiting from regular playing time in the minors and could be a valuable asset in the playoffs. This would also allow the Phillies to avoid a situation like Monday night when they had to choose between prioritizing offense or defense with a pinch hitter.

With just nine games left in the regular season, the Phillies are in prime position to secure a spot in the playoffs. As they make their final preparations, they will continue to monitor the progress of their injured players and make key decisions to set their pitching rotation and roster for the postseason. The race to October is on, and the Phillies are ready to compete for a spot in the World Series.