With Shadows Expected To Be a Factor, Phillies Opt for Defensive Lineup in Game 1

You couldn't have picked a more beautiful Fall day to watch Game 1 of the NLDS at Citizens Bank Park. However, you probably could have picked better circumstances to hit under. 

With a 4:08 ET start time, the Phillies expect shadows to be a factor in Game 1 of the NLDS, and their starting lineup reflects that. 

Despite suggesting earlier this week that he believed Austin Hays could potentially be an everyday player in the postseason, Rob Thomson opted to go with Johan Rojas in center field and Brandon Marsh in left field for Game 1, the top defensive arrangement. 

Red October starts now.

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"Today, because it's 4:00, there's going to be some shadows early," Thomson explained. "So there's a potential it's going to be tough to score some runs. So I want the best defense available." 

Thomson strongly hinted that Rojas will be the starting center fielder again Sunday as well, with another 4:08 ET start time.

It's unclear if the plan is to have Rojas start Games 3 and 4 at Citi Field, which are tentatively scheduled to start at 5:08 ET. It's possible that Rojas is the starting center fielder for all games this series, and left field becomes something of a platoon between Marsh and Hays depending on who is pitching for the Mets. 

Offensively, the Phillies will be facing Kodai Senga, normally an unenviable task. However, Senga was limited to 5 1/3 innings this season because of shoulder and calf injuries. His last start came on July 26. It's unclear how much, if anything, Senga will be able to give the Mets in Game 1. 

How TOUGH is it to hit Kodai Senga's Ghost Fork? 👻🍴

Why can't you just "not swing" at it??

Let Brent Rooker Explain. pic.twitter.com/5G7Ko6TyXn

— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) October 4, 2024

At his best, Senga's ghost fork is a pretty dominant pitch. In his pregame media session, Harper was asked whether the ghost fork looks any different as a hitter than a traditional splitter. 

"It will in the shadows today probably," Harper responded. 

The Phillies took batting practice on the field around 4:00 during Friday's workout day, Harper included. Perhaps that was a coincidence, but probably not. We'll see if it pays off Saturday evening.