The Phillies held a simulated game Wednesday at Citizens Bank Park to keep sharp during their NLDS bye week. It wasn’t open to the public or media, but manager Rob Thomson shared insights during a Zoom call later in the day. Bryce Harper’s team, wearing the powder blue uniforms, tied Kyle Schwarber’s team, decked out in red pinstripes, 5-5 after eight innings. The game provided valuable reps as the Phillies gear up for Saturday’s NLDS opener.
The energy felt like a real game. There were umpires, crowd noise piped through the stadium speakers, and walk-up songs as players stepped to the plate. Third base coach Dusty Wathan managed Harper’s team, while first base coach Paco Figueroa took charge of Schwarber’s side.
The action mirrored regular-season intensity, as both teams battled for pride, even though a suggested wager between the squads didn’t come into play with the tie.
Schwarber’s team held a 5-3 lead heading into the bottom of the eighth before Nick Castellanos and Harper crushed back-to-back homers to even the score. Weston Wilson also homered for Team Harper earlier in the game, taking Kolby Allard deep in what became a back-and-forth affair. While Schwarber’s squad may have had the upper hand early, the late-game fireworks ensured a dramatic finish.
Pitching was a key focus. Ranger Suárez started and tossed two efficient innings, needing just 21 pitches to record six outs. Thomson, who watched Suárez from the stands, noted significant improvement from the left-hander, who sat between 92-93 mph with his fastball and showed strong command of his breaking pitches. Suárez’s performance eased concerns about his readiness for the postseason after a rough finish to the regular season, where he posted a 6.49 ERA in his final six starts. His fastball velocity, which dipped toward the end of September, looked sharper, giving the Phillies confidence he can contribute in the NLDS, potentially as a Game 4 starter.
“I think [it eased my concerns],” Thomson said. “You never know, but I felt really good about it and talking to Caleb [Cotham, pitching coach], he felt the same way. But I got a really good vantage point, sitting behind the plate, and it was coming out of his hand really good.
“Command was there. Talking to the hitters, the movement was there. Curveball was sharp. So, yeah, it eased my mind.”
Thomson still hasn’t made a decision on who will start Game 2 between Aaron Nola and Cristopher Sánchez. Sánchez’s home dominance (2.21 ERA) versus Nola’s playoff experience creates an interesting dilemma. Whichever one doesn’t start Game 2 is likely to go in Game 3, with Suárez in line for a short-leash start in a potential Game 4.
“It depends on the team we’re playing,” Thomson said. “I factor in the talk around town. Sanchy’s home and road splits, you’ve got to factor that in. I mean, he’s just so much better at home, plus the fact you can have the ability to break up the right-handed starters and [the] left-handed starters. And, you know, you’ve got a guy in Nola who’s calm and cool. It doesn’t matter where he’s pitching.
“So I think a lot of those things are in play, and there are things to have a conversation about and try to come up with a collective decision.”
“So I think a lot of those things are in play, and there are things to have a conversation about and try to come up with a collective decision.”
The rest of the bullpen saw work as well, except for Jeff Hoffman, who was held out with a stiff neck but is expected to be ready for Saturday. Spencer Turnbull, vying for a spot in the postseason bullpen, struggled with command and lasted just one inning, touching 92 mph. Thomson downplayed the rough outing but acknowledged Turnbull needs more work before being fully trusted in key situations.
“Really not a whole lot,” said Thomson when asked how much stock he put into Turnbull’s performance, “because he hasn’t really pitched all that much right now. So in my opinion he needs a little bit of work, but you never know.”
Austin Hays, back from a sore back that sidelined him last weekend, looked sharp. He went 2-for-4 and made a strong defensive play in the outfield, while Bryson Stott hit two balls hard but finished 0-for-4. Hays’ performance indicated he’s ready for a larger role as the postseason unfolds.
As the Phillies inch closer to Game 1 of the NLDS, the simulated game served as a valuable exercise, maintaining rhythm and ironing out final details. The biggest takeaway? The team looks healthy and ready, and Suárez’s resurgence couldn’t have come at a better time.