Phillies manager Rob Thomson talks best defensive combination in the outfield for NLDS Game 1
Johan Rojas will get the nod in center field for the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 1 of the National League Division Series. With a 4:08 p.m. start time, Phillies manager Rob Thomson wanted his best defensive combination in the outfield.
"There's going to be some shadows early, so there's a potential it's going to be tough to score some runs," Thomson said. "So I want the best defense available."
The Phillies will also go with Brandon Marsh in left field for the series opener against the New York Mets. Not a surprise given Mets starter Kodai Senga is a right-hander and Marsh hit .262 with 15 home runs and a .792 OPS.
This is all about defense. Which is why Marsh is in left field and Rojas is in center field.
"He's one of the best in the game," Thomson said. "I can't quantify it. I don't know how many runs he saves versus how many runs we could score if we had a different bat in the lineup. And I think it depends on the game, if he gets a lot of action he probably prevents more runs.
"But I'm really comfortable when he's playing center field. And then Marsh, who's one of the best left-fielders in baseball, is manning left field. So again, for today, anyway, and probably tomorrow with the shadows, I just want the best defense out there."
Rojas has been in and out of the lineup for various reasons throughout the season, and he was even sent down in the middle of June. Since Rojas returned to the Phillies on June 28, he's hit .252 with a .643 OPS, he's stolen 11 bases and scored 26 runs.
"I think it's ever since he was a kid, he was well trained with taking batting practice the right way, defensively, and reading balls off the bat. Getting jumps. Anticipating where the ball is going to be hit. He does a great job at that," Thomson said. "Not only is he fast, but he gets off the ball quickly, takes very efficient routes.
"Arm strength, arm accuracy is there, attacks the ball, gets it out quickly. He's as complete an outfielder for me as you will see. And there's a few out there but he's one of them."
Bryce Harper has a knack for hitting in the postseason, as his 1.137 OPS with the Phillies is the third-highest in MLB through a player's first 30 games with a team -- trailing only Lou Gehrig (1.287) and Babe Ruth (1.215). Even though Harper is entering his third postseason with the Phillies, he's never seen a pitch quite like Kodai Senga's forkball.
Senga is the starting pitcher for Game 1 and will challenge the Phillies lineup with the pitch. The forkball will be even more difficult with the shadows crossing home plate.
"He's probably the only guy I've seen that has a forkball, per se," Harper said. "I've seen split fingers and things like that, but his is definitely really good. You've got to be smart and hit the ones that are up, and try to let the ones go that are down. But it's a really tough pitch."
The "ghost fork" is even more deceiving in the shadows, which is likely a reason why Senga is the Game 1 starter -- even though he's started one game all year (and that was in July). Senga threw just 5.1 innings all season, as he was sidelined since that start with a calf injury.
The Mets say Senga is ready to go. The Phillies will test him.
"Very good pitcher," Harper said. "Obviously he has the heater with that forkball he throws. Obviously just trying to keep him in the zone and understanding and go out there and get on base and do the things we can as a team.
"So, we're looking forward to it. He's a very good pitcher," Harper said, "We're looking forward to getting out there and facing him."