{"id":69799,"date":"2024-04-04T09:00:49","date_gmt":"2024-04-04T13:00:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=69799"},"modified":"2024-04-04T00:26:39","modified_gmt":"2024-04-04T04:26:39","slug":"phillies-should-stop-outfield-platoon","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2024\/04\/04\/phillies-should-stop-outfield-platoon\/","title":{"rendered":"The Phillies Should Put an End to Their Outfield Platoon"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Philadelphia Phillies should put an end to the current platoon system they have going in the outfield. Currently, Brandon Marsh<\/a> does not play a majority of the time when the Phillies are facing a left-handed pitcher. Last season, Cristian Pache<\/a> made starts against left-handed pitchers in place of Marsh. This season, Whit Merrifield<\/a> has taken over<\/a> that role. How well Johan Rojas<\/a> does at the plate will also have an impact. While the Phillies intend to stick with Rojas if the struggles at the plate continue, changes will need to be made. In that scenario, Merrifield takes over in left field with Marsh moving to center field. Pache would also continue to play in left field or center field as needed. It is also possible that Pache will take over for Rojas in the starting lineup in that scenario.<\/p>\n

Phillies Should End Their Outfield Platoon<\/h2>\n

Games against the Atlanta Braves on Saturday and Sunday saw Marsh not start because of the platoon. In those games, the Braves started Max Fried<\/a> and Chris Sale<\/a> on the mound. It is worth noting that the Sunday game did see Marsh enter as a pinch hitter. Meanwhile, Marsh did get a start against the Cincinnati Reds on Monday, when Andrew Abbott<\/a> was pitching. Both Pache and Merrifield have made starts filling in for other players so far this season as well.<\/p>\n

Phillies manager Rob Thomson<\/a> has previously stated<\/a> that he believes Marsh will eventually become an everyday player. However, it is important to note that Marsh did have knee surgery in February. It is smart to ease him into the lineup at the moment. Once everyone gets into a rhythm, the Phillies left field platoon should end, with Marsh becoming an everyday player.<\/p>\n

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Brandon Marsh early on this season:<\/p>\n

5-14
\n2 HR
\n3 RBI
\n3 R
\n1 SB
\n7 SO
\n.357 BA \/ .357 OBP \/ .786 SLG<\/p>\n

Every day player?pic.twitter.com\/v5kuRO4YxR<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 SPORTSRADIO 94WIP (@SportsRadioWIP) April 3, 2024<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n