After 2022 and 2023, the prospect of the Atlanta Braves facing the Phillies in a best-of-three series certainly does not excite most fans. Adding in the Braves prolonged offensive struggles, especially against starting pitching, and the Phillies' excellent rotation, the nightmare scenario of being eliminated by one of their biggest rivals doesn't seem so far out of the realm of possibility.
Fortunately for Braves fans, the Phillies have struggled down the stretch. Once a team that looked like they could storm back and steal the NL East, the Phillies are one of the last contending teams heading into the final weekend yet to clinch a playoff spot. Because of this, they're having to put the regular season first when it comes to their rotation, which could leave them vulnerable in the playoffs.
Phillies' final weekend rotation plans could benefit Braves
Although there's still a chance that the Phillies don't make the playoffs at all, it would require them to lose two more games than the Diamondbacks this weekend. If Arizona were to sweep the Padres, the Phillies would need to win two of three against the Rays. If Arizona were to win two of three, Philadelphia would only need to win one.
If the Phillies are able to clinch a playoff spot this weekened, their most likely opponent is the Atlanta Braves, as the Phillies are one game back of the Cubs and do not have the tiebreaker, and two games back of the Padres.
However, because they were not able to clinch against the Brewers, the Phillies have not been able to set their rotation for the playoffs. Tonight against the Rays, their ace Cristopher Sanchez takes the mound, which would put him on short rest to start Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series. After what's scheduled for a bullpen game on Saturday, the Phillies currently have Zack Wheeler slated for Sunday, which would put him on short rest to start Game 3 of the NL Wild Card Series.
Assuming the Phillies are forced to use both Sanchez and Wheeler to the max, it would leave Aaron Nola starting Game 1 for Philadelphia, or Jesús Luzardo, who has been on the IL for the last three weeks with shoulder soreness. While Luzardo has been throwing bullpens and looks on track to return by the playoffs, there are certainly question marks about how much the lefty can actually throw, and how healthy he truly is.
Of course, if the Phillies clinch tonight or Saturday, the club will simply move Wheeler to Game 1. But if Philadelphia's playoff status isn't determined heading into Sunday, it might completely derail the advantage their excellent rotation has.
The Braves would certainly welcome this scenario for the Phillies rotation, or better yet, a Phillies team that fails to make the playoffs entirely.
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