Phillies Clinching Mailbag: Harper’s Elbow, NLDS, Walker

We are back with an N.L. East Clinching edition of the 97.3 ESPN Phillies Mailbag.  Each week during the season (and playoffs!) we take your questions and answer them on The Sports Bash with Mike Gill.   Tune in Tuesday afternoons to hear your questions answered on the air.

Should Bryce Harper get some extended rest for that elbow heading into October.
~Mike

I would bet that we are going to see all of the players get some sort of rest this week.  Bryce Harper certainly will be among them.  While the Phillies would certainly enjoy a bye, it's probably a good idea to get some rest, too.

At least until they clinch a bye, I would expect that there be some level of rest.  The starting pitching staff will get Tuesday off.  There probably would be rest among the players.

I would think Harper gets one of the early days off first, with Kody Clemens manning first base for an evening.

After that, with a potentially layoff next week until the Division Series, I can see the players at least playing some of each day, making sure that they keep their timing right.   They will surely work out next week and have simulated at bats, but finding the balance of days off and batting would be helpful.

I'm sure that Harper would serve as designated hitter on a Kyle Schwarber day off, too.

Who would you rather play in the NLDS assuming we get a bye?
~John

If I am the Phillies I would want to be ready to play anybody out there, regardless of who they are and their ability.  You don't win the World Series trying to avoid other teams.  So bring on everyone.

I will say this: I think the team that should have everyone's attention heading into the playoffs is the San Diego Padres.  Despite selling Juan Soto and cutting payroll, the Padres are set to win a Wild Card.  And they have been playing unbelievably well.

In their last 56 games, the Padres are 40-16.

Yes, that dominant.  It's often the team that heads into the playoffs dominating that makes a big run.  Of course, the 2022 Phillies did not do that and made it to the World Series.

But if there is a team out there I would suggest is worth a look: it would be the San Diego Padres.

Do you invite Taijuan Walker to Spring Training or part ways during the winter?
~Eric

Well, I think it's likely you'll get another opportunity to see Taijuan Walker today against the Cubs.  Tanner Banks will start for the Phillies on Tuesday evening, and the back-end of the bullpen will likely get some action.  I would also suggest that the same will happen five days from now, on Sunday.

Let's be clear: Taijuan Walker does not need to be on the Postseason roster.  So then the question becomes: what about the Spring?

Should the Phillies cut Walker over the Winter, he will likely sign a minor league deal with a Spring Training invitation with another team.  Then, he would have Spring Training to show that he belongs on the roster.  If he regains some velocity and works out?  The Phillies will have gifted another team a starting pitcher, something rare in today's game.

So they might as well see what he has in the Spring.  He's under contract for two more years.  If he shows enough in the Spring, he could be very helpful.

The Phillies other four starters (Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Cristopher Sanchez, and Ranger Suárez) are all set to return.   Andrew Painter is on the mend and could enter the conversation at some point, but maybe not right away.

So just keep him and see what he has in the Spring.  After all, you'd be paying for someone else to do that.