The Phillies enter the Wild Card round without Luis Arraez, and that changes the math for the series against Atlanta. Manager Don Mattingly confirmed the infielder will not be on the roster due to a left ankle sprain suffered on the basepaths. This is a blow to a lineup that needed his contact skills, but the team has a plan. Otto Kemp takes his spot on the bench to fill the void. The loss feels heavy, yet the roster still holds enough fire to win two games.
A Tough Trade That Didn’t Pay Off
The trade that brought Arraez to Philadelphia has not worked out as hoped. To acquire him and reliever Caleb Kilian, the Phillies traded minor leaguers Ramon Marquez and Marty Gair to the Giants. Kilian struggled immediately, allowing five earned runs in just 3 1/3 innings before hitting the injured list. Arraez saw his production slide after the swap. He posted a .278/.309/.369 line with the Phillies compared to a .324/.360/.440 line with the Giants. Per MLB Trade Rumors, his decline was likely due to bad luck on balls in play, but the stats remain the same. The team rearranged its defense to fit him, moving Bryson Stott and Alec Bohm around, but now they must shift back.
Kemp Faces a Huge Challenge
Replacing a veteran bat with an inexperienced utility player is risky in October. Otto Kemp possesses just 75 games of big league experience. He spent most of the year on optional assignment and played in just 13 contests. His stats in those games were thin, hitting just .080/.148/.080 in 27 plate appearances. While his Triple-A line appears acceptable initially, it performed subpar within the International League. Even with a 95 wRC+ in the minors, the jump to the postseason is steep. The Phillies will likely mix up their defensive alignment again against Atlanta. Stott is expected to return to second base, while Philidelphia still has options for how to align Bohm, Edmundo and Harper. It is a scramble, but the team has no choice.
Umpire Crews Set for Series
The league has also named the umpire crew chiefs for the Wild Card Series. Jordan Baker will lead the crew working the Phillies’ Wild Card series against the visiting Atlanta Braves. Baker is scheduled for third base in the opener and will not catch during this best-of-three round. This is his sixth wild-card round assignment. Dan Merzel will be behind the plate for Game 1, with Adam Beck at first and Mark Ripperger at second. Nestor Ceja will work left field while Ramos handles right. ESPN reports that umpires shift from right field to left, then proceed clockwise around the bases. The umpire stationed at second for the opener will move behind the plate if a third game becomes necessary. The crew is set, the roster is set, and the pressure is on. The Phillies must win without their recent acquisition to keep their season alive.
