The Phillies know the challenge in front of them. The defending-champion Dodgers arrive with aspirations of repeating last year’s tune, but the Phils believe they’re just as battle-tested.
“This is probably the deepest lineup and bullpen we’ve had since I’ve been here,” J.T. Realmuto said. “Obviously it’s tough losing Wheeler, you can’t replace a guy like that, but our starting pitching is still very deep. We’ve got guys that have had success at this stage.”
Sánchez draws the spotlight
Cristopher Sánchez will get the ball in Game 1, facing Shohei Ohtani in a marquee pitching matchup. For Realmuto, the lefty’s rise has been about more than just pure stuff.
“His confidence has just grown and grown,” Realmuto said. “He’s always had really good stuff, but his command has gotten better, and that in turn has given him more confidence. He’s able to throw all three pitches where he wants, and that’s made him take another step.”
J. T. Realmuto and Cristopher Sanchez met with the media on Friday and discussed Sanchez’s confidence and dominance at home over the last two seasons.
Sánchez admitted he’s leaned on Wheeler, calling him his favorite pitcher. With Wheeler sidelined, the veteran’s support hasn’t gone unnoticed.
“He was here yesterday,” Sánchez said. “He was really excited for me and everything that’s been going on with my career recently. … As far as myself, I just have to go out there and compete.”
Asked about facing Ohtani again after a rough matchup in Los Angeles, Sánchez kept it simple: “I’m focusing on controlling my emotions and performing out there.”
Ohtani and the Dodgers’ test
The Phillies already saw Ohtani dominate them in September, tossing five no-hit innings at Dodger Stadium. Realmuto didn’t play in that game, but he’s heard the reviews.
“Obviously his stuff is really good,” Realmuto said. “He mixed really well and kept guys off balance. The fastball plays up, the breaking balls are sharp. It’s obviously going to be a challenge, but hopefully seeing him a second time will help our guys.”
Alec Bohm echoed that it can’t just be about waiting for the long ball. “Especially when the playoffs roll around, every arm you’re facing is the best of the best,” Bohm said. “Guys can kind of lose themselves trying to be the hero, but it’s the little things — moving the ball around, limiting strikeouts, manufacturing runs — that wins in the end.”
Thomson on adjustments and rest
Manager Rob Thomson, who will announce his Game 2 starter on Saturday, said the key is adapting quickly.
“When you see an opponent a second time, whether it’s a pitcher seeing another lineup or an offense seeing another pitcher, it helps,” he said. “That’s when you have to make adjustments.”
He expressed that both clubs enter evenly matched. “Good starting pitching, a lot of thump in both lineups, and really good bullpens. Both teams are very evenly matched.”
Thomson isn’t concerned about rust a number of days off. “The guys are highly motivated, so I’m not worried about the mindset,” he said. “We did more velocity training, more breaking ball training, really focusing on strike-zone control. And the intrasquad game the other night did a lot for us.”
The gameplan
The Dodgers bring one of the deepest lineups in baseball, and Thomson knows it’s not just about Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Ohtani.
“They proved in the Wild Card round they can win without slugging,” he said. “They’ve got veteran hitters that grind at-bats, know the strike zone, don’t chase. You have to pitch them very, very well.”
For the Phillies, the offensive approach will be about balance.
“Our goal, no matter who we’re facing, is to get the starter out as soon as we can,” Thomson said. “But we can’t be too passive. We’ve got to keep the ball in the strike zone. That’s how you build pitch counts.”
Max Kepler said the team is ready after a long week of prep. “I feel great,” he said. “Everything we did was essential and necessary to what we have to do tomorrow. Having fans in here for the scrimmage made it feel more real. We’re ready to go.”
Urgency and unfinished business
Realmuto brushed off any suggestion that expiring contracts might alter the urgency in the clubhouse.
“We’ve always had a sense of urgency here,” he said. “Every year the ultimate goal is to win the World Series, and at the end of the day that’s all that matters.”
Bohm added that experience will matter most. “Everybody knows the games are big, but the first time around it can be a little overwhelming,” he said. “Now we’ve been through it, and I think that familiarity helps.”
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