The Philadelphia Phillies best lineup is being discussed constantly. With the team sitting at 66-55 and in 2nd place in the NL East, the lineup needs some stability as the postseason approaches. The Phillies currently have the 3rd best record in the NL. Of NL teams, the Atlanta Braves and the Los Angeles Dodgers have better records than the Phillies. Additionally, the team is 3 1/2 games in the clear for a Wild Card spot. If the playoffs started today, the Phillies would host the San Francisco Giants in a Wild Card Series. With the Giants coming to Philadelphia between August 21 and August 23, that series could determine home-field for a playoff meeting.
With that being said, the bullpen has been having issues lately. The Phillies need Jose Alvarado to return from injury soon. Since the start of August, the Phillies have had four blown saves. Furthermore, they have given up the eventual winning run in a tied game in the eighth inning or later twice in that stretch. Primary closer Craig Kimbrel has allowed both to occur during this stretch. On August 15 against the Toronto Blue Jays, in the eighth inning of a tied game, Seranthony Dominguez hit a batter with the bases loaded and two outs. Heading into a potential postseason appearance, the Phillies need to be able to trust someone in high-leverage situations.
Phillies Best Lineup
Creating the Phillies’ best lineup involves significant changes to the current batting order. Throughout the season, manager Rob Thomson has used many different batting orders. Even with the various combinations, some things have remained consistent. The top two or three spots in the order have mostly stayed the same this season. In addition, the top two in the lineup have been mostly the same, with the order being reversed sometimes. The bottom of the order has seen many combinations because of players being in the lineup because of injuries or the regular starters having a day off.
1st – Trea Turner (Shortstop)
For most of his career, Turner has batted in the leadoff spot. Most of the success Turner has had at the plate in his career has come from batting first in the lineup. In that position this season, Turner has a .266/.299/—375 line with no home runs and three RBI. However, Turner has 22 stolen bases this season and is more like a traditional leadoff hitter. Overall this season, Turner has a .250/.302/—394 line with 12 home runs and 44 RBI.
2nd – Alec Bohm (Third Base or First Base)
In recent weeks Bohm has been moved into this spot in the order. This season Bohm has a .279/.333/.471 line while batting second with three home runs and 11 RBI. With those numbers, it is a good idea for the Phillies to keep Bohm in that position in the lineup. In addition, so far this season, Bohm has a .283/.336/.424 line with 12 home runs and 75 RBI.
3rd – Bryce Harper (First Base or Designated Hitter)
The third spot in the lineup belongs to Harper. Furthermore, this is where the best player is supposed to bat. On the season, Harper has a .292/.376/—481 line with eight home runs and 26 RBI when batting third. Harper being in this position is the easiest of these lineup decisions. Overall for the season, Harper has a .291/.379/.442 line with nine home runs and 40 RBI.
4th – Nick Castellanos (Right Field)
Having Castellanos bat cleanup makes the most sense to balance the order. In the cleanup spot this season, Castellanos has a .309/.349/.532 line with 13 home runs and 47 RBI. Given current performances, Castellanos after Harper in these two spots makes the most sense. Castellanos made the NL All-Star team this year and has a .278/.317/.470 line with 20 home runs and 74 RBI.
5th – Bryson Stott (Second Base)
Putting Stott behind Castellanos can help the lineup produce more runs because of how often Stott gets on base. Stott has a .254/.323/.430 line with four home runs and 15 RBI while batting fifth this season. For the season, Stott has a .297/.342/.438 line with 11 home runs and 47 RBI. In addition, Stott has a 3.2 oWAR on the season with an OPS+ of 112.
6th – Kyle Schwarber (Designated Hitter or Left Field)
Moving Schwarber out of the leadoff spot would be a good idea. Schwarber has one of baseball’s most unusual stat lines this season with a .180/.322/.418 line with 30 home runs and 74 RBI. In addition, Schwarber has been walked 89 times this season and has struck out 159 times this season. So far, Schwarber has not batted in the sixth spot in the order. With the power, Schwarber has, it makes sense to put him after Stott.
7th – J.T. Realmuto (Catcher)
This season Realmuto has a .308/.400/.692 line with one home run and two RBI while batting seventh. With the top six spots in the order mainly being evident, it makes sense to place Realmuto here after two left-handed batters. Realmuto can provide some much-needed production in this spot. Overall Realmuto has a .247/.311/.461 line with 15 home runs and 48 RBI this season.
8th – Brandon Marsh/Jake Cave (Left Field or Center Field)
This spot in the order should be held by Marsh once he returns from the injured list. For now, this spot should be split between Cave and Weston Wilson. This spot in the lineup heavily depends on matchup and whether or not Harper is playing first base. Wilson will be sent down to Triple-A Lehigh Valley once Marsh returns from the injured list. When that happens, this spot belongs to Marsh.
9th – Johan Rojas/Cristian Pache (Center Field) or Edmundo Sosa/Rodolfo Castro (Third Base)
This position depends on whether Harper plays first base like the eight spots. When an outfield spot, it needs to be held by Rojas until Pache returns from injury. With roster expansion coming in a few weeks, Rojas may be able to remain with the Phillies for the rest of the season, depending on when Pache returns. Otherwise, Sosa or Castro should be put in this position when it determines who plays third base.
Main Photo Credits: John E. Sokolowski-USA TODAY Sports
