ATLANTA -- Now Philadelphia's pitching plans get really interesting.
Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly, pitching coach Caleb Cotham and other team officials planned to gather more than an hour after Wednesday’s dramatic, come-from-behind 4-3 victory over the Braves in 10 innings in Game 2 of the NL Wild Card Series at Truist Park. They needed to figure out who would pitch Game 3 on Thursday.
Thursday's Game 3, airing on NBC and Peacock, will start at 2 p.m. ET unless it is the only remaining series. In that case, Phillies-Braves would start at 8 p.m. ET.
“Obviously it's another elimination game,” Mattingly said. “I think three out of the last four have been elimination games, so I'm assuming it'll be pretty much all hands on deck.”
Mattingly indicated on Monday that Aaron Nola was working toward starting Game 3, if needed.
But would it surprise anybody if ace Zack Wheeler started on short rest? He started Sunday’s regular-season finale, the Phillies’ first of three elimination games this week. If Wheeler, who threw 97 pitches in that last outing, doesn’t start, it’s almost a certainty he would pitch out of the bullpen.
The thought of Wheeler not pitching in a postseason series seems almost impossible.
“Again, all hands on deck tomorrow,” Mattingly said.
Left-hander Jesús Luzardo, who started Game 1 on Tuesday, said he would be available in the bullpen. He discreetly moved to the Phillies’ bullpen late in Game 2, just in case his team needed him. Rookie right-hander Andrew Painter tossed three scoreless innings of relief to win Game 2. He also said he would be available.
“Yeah, everything on the line,” Painter said. “Luzardo would make fun of me if I didn't. I'm 23. He says I should be good every day.”
It’s unclear if closer Jhoan Duran will be available. He threw 27 pitches over two innings in Tuesday’s Game 1 loss. He was not available in Game 2, Mattingly said.
After Duran played catch on Wednesday afternoon, a reporter asked how he felt.
Duran gestured with his hand that he felt iffy, but he said he hoped to feel better after receiving pregame treatment.
He didn’t improve enough to pitch.
“We’ll see where he’s at tomorrow,” Mattingly said.
Nola last pitched on short rest on Saturday against Tampa Bay, allowing four hits and three runs in one inning in a 12-1 loss. But after posting a 6.04 ERA in 17 starts through June 29, he had a 3.12 ERA in his final 15 starts before Sunday.
Nola had a 4.50 ERA in three starts against Atlanta this season.