WASHINGTON — The Phillies are planning for a bye in the wild-card round of the playoffs next week.
The Monday following Game 162 will be a day off.
Tuesday will be a mandatory team workout.
The Red and White game will be held on Wednesday at Citizens Bank Park.
Thursday will be an optional team training session.
Friday will be a mandatory team workout to coincide with Saturday’s NLDS opener.
The Phillies intend to treat Wednesday’s game as close to an actual game as possible.
“We’re going to have everything: referees, full scoreboard, walk-up music,” manager Rob Thomson said before Game 1 of the Phillies’ final regular-season series against the Nationals. “I don’t really know how many innings it’s going to be yet, but I think it’s going to be six, seven, eight innings.”
Spencer Turnbull is likely to pitch in the Red and White game as long as he successfully completes Friday’s live batting practice session. Turnbull has been training in Allentown, and the Phillies have players such as catchers Rafael Marchan and Aramis Garcia, right-handed reliever Max Lazar, and position players Cal Stevenson and Buddy Kennedy waiting at Turnbull. are.
The group will return to Philadelphia after the weekend to join up with the team.
The Phillies haven’t had a week off the past two Octobers, so this will be a much different start to the postseason. They studied the preparation work done by teams that found success after byes, especially the Houston Astros.
“It’s very similar to what we’re trying to do and that’s probably what I would normally do,” Thomson said. “But they seem to have had the most success. I think Atlanta did the same thing last year. Who knows, but I think we’re doing the right thing.”
From Games 160 to 162, the Phillies are still playing for home-field advantage. They have to do one game better than the Dodgers this weekend. Even if the Phillies sweep, the Dodgers won’t win more than 2 wins and 1 loss. If the Phillies go 2-1, the Dodgers will lose the series at Coors Field.
Thomson has said he would like to bring back Zach Wheeler and Aaron Nola for the final starts on Saturday and Sunday, but that will depend on the situation, pitch count and flow of the game. Both are nearing milestones and Thomson wants to help them achieve them.
“They have goals, too,” he said. “Wheeler is 6 1/3 away from 200 innings and Nola is 5 1/3 away. That’s big for them. If it’s big for them, it’s big for me. Of course it’s important to keep them healthy. No, but if they have a goal, I’d like to do it.” Help me reach them in any way I can.
“Marsh has to have two (steals) for 20. Turner, one for 20. I’m thinking what has to happen to keep (Kyle) Schwarber at .250? What has to happen to keep Nick?” Castellanos over .250? Such a small number might mean something to them. ”