The Phillies released their NLDS roster on Saturday morning, featuring 14 position players and 12 pitchers. The only question mark was the final bullpen spot, which was awarded to lefty Kolby Allard. He had four starts and three relief outings this season with a 5.00 ERA.
Right-handers Max Lazar and Spencer Turnbull were the other contenders. Given the Mets’ predominantly right-handed lineup, it seemed the Phillies would opt for a righty. In fact, the Brewers left two left-handed relievers, Hoby Milner and Bryan Hudson, off their roster in the previous round for that very reason. Brandon Nimmo, Jesse Winker, and switch-hitter Francisco Lindor were the only Mets wild-card roster members who batted lefty, so selecting an extra right-hander appeared logical.
Lazar pitched 11 games for the Phillies in August and September. He started strong, with no runs allowed over his first 6⅓ innings, but struggled in his next 7⅓ innings and was sent back to Triple A on September 14.
Turnbull has been sidelined since June 26 with a lat strain. While he managed a rehab appearance for Lehigh Valley by the final day of the Triple A season (allowing two runs in two innings) and pitched in an intrasquad game on Wednesday, the Phillies felt he needed more time to return to form. Manager Rob Thomson mentioned that Turnbull hit 92 mph but was a bit inconsistent in the intrasquad outing.
For Game 1 against Mets right-hander Kodai Senga, the Phillies’ bench will likely include Edmundo Sosa, Weston Wilson, Kody Clemens, Garrett Stubbs, and either Austin Hays or Johan Rojas. Sosa could play second base over Stott, and Hays could be in left field over Marsh if the Mets start a lefty in Games 3 and 4. Both Stott and Marsh could then be subbed in as soon as the left-handed starter exits.
The Mets are expected to use a lefty starter in at least two games if the series goes the distance, with Sean Manaea, David Peterson, and Jose Quintana all available. They had just one left-handed reliever on their wild-card roster (Danny Young), but only Luis Severino (Game 2 starter) will be unavailable for Game 1.