Phillies Game 1 Lineup, Wild Card Roster, and Pitching Strategy vs. Braves

After an up-and-down regular season, playoff baseball is finally here as we’re just hours away from first pitch of the opening National League Wild Card matchup between Philadelphia and the Atlanta Braves.

The Phillies have never lost a playoff series against their NL East rivals, going 3-0, with wins in 1993, 2022 and 2023.

So what does Philadelphia’s Game 1 lineup look like under manager Don Mattingly? What about the team’s roster for the Wild Card round? Here are the details:

Phillies Game 1 Lineup vs. Chris Sale

Trea Turner will remain in the leadoff role, followed by MLB home run leader Kyle Schwarber in the No. 2 spot, Bryce Harper in the No. 3 hole, and Alec Bohm batting cleanup. With left-hander Chris Sale starting for Atlanta, righty-hitting Derek Hill will play center field and bat fifth; Bryan De La Cruz will play left field in the No. 6 spot; Bryson Stott is at second base and will hit seventh; Edmundo Sosa is at third hitting eighth, and J.T. Realmuto will bat ninth.

Phillies lineup

Trea Turner, SS
Kyle Schwarber, DH
Bryce Harper, RF
Alec Bohm, 1B
Derek Hill, CF
Bryan De La Cruz, LF
Bryson Stott, 2B
Edmundo Sosa, 3B
J.T. Realmuto, C
Jesús Luzardo, SP

Here are the Phillies' numbers against Sale

Don Mattingly’s Open Pitching Strategy: Luzardo & Painter

Left-hander Jesús Luzardo will start on the mound for the Phillies. Kirby posted an excellent 2.85 ERA this season, but missed the final two weeks of the season with a sore shoulder. Luzardo threw one scoreless inning in Philadelphia's season finale on Sunday, throwing just four pitches.

The Braves likely will see quite a bit of the Phillies’ bullpen in Game 1. Phillies manager Don Mattingly said Monday that Luzardo's start will likely be as an opener, and Andrew Painter will likely have a role in the game.

The Phillies used their top three starting pitchers, including Zack Wheeler on Sunday in the season finale against Tampa, Aaron Nola started on two days' rest, throwing an inning on Saturday, and Cristopher Sánchez pitched on Friday night.

Rotation Schedule for Games 2 and 3

Sanchez is slated to start Game 2 of the NLWC on Wednesday, and Nola is expected to start on Thursday.

Phillies 26-Man Wild Card Series Roster

• Pitchers (12): Left-handers – José Alvarado, Tanner Banks, Jesús Luzardo, Tim Mayza and Cristopher Sánchez. Right-handers – Jonathan Bowlan, Jhoan Duran, Alex McFarlane, Aaron Nola, Andrew Painter, Chase Shugart and Zack Wheeler.
• Catchers (3): Rafael Marchán, J.T. Realmuto and Garrett Stubbs.
• Infielders (5): Alec Bohm, Otto Kemp, Edmundo Sosa, Bryson Stott and Trea Turner.
• Outfielders (5): Justin Crawford, Bryan De La Cruz, Bryce Harper, Derek Hill and Brandon Marsh.
• Designated Hitter (1): Kyle Schwarber.

The one takeaway from this would be that Brooks Raley, whom they acquired at the trade deadline, did not make the playoff roster.  Tanner Banks takes his place on the roster.

This means all three players the Phillies added at the deadline are not on the Wild Card roster, with Raley, Luis Arreaz, and Caleb Kilian all not on the roster.

Otto Kemp is on the roster, replacing Arraez.  The Phillies are also carrying three catchers, Rafael Marchán, J.T. Realmuto, and Garrett Stubbs.

How to Listen & Watch: 97.3 ESPN Broadcast Schedule

First pitch for Game 1 on Tuesday is slated for 2:00 p.m. Radio coverage on 97.3 ESPN will begin with The Sports Bash with Mike Gill at noon and can be heard on the 97.3 ESPN mobile app, and you can watch on the 97.3 ESPN YouTube channel.

On Wednesday, for Game 2, The Sports Bash will begin at noon, with the first pitch at 2 p.m., and can be heard on the 97.3 ESPN mobile app, and you can watch on the 97.3 ESPN YouTube channel.