Answering fans' questions about Suárez's role, NLDS strategy & more

Answering fans' questions about Suárez's role, NLDS strategy & more

7:16 PM UTC

PHILADELPHIA -- The Phillies are trying to stay sharp before Game 1 of the National League Division Series on Saturday.

They’ll play either the Mets or Brewers at 4:08 p.m. ET at Citizens Bank Park.

On Wednesday, the Phils played an intrasquad game. Bryce Harper and Trea Turner served as captains for one team. J.T. Realmuto and Kyle Schwarber served as captains for the other. The game, which had more than pride on the line -- though the team wouldn't say what prize would go to the winners -- was closed to reporters and fans, so we hopped into Reddit on Wednesday afternoon to answer your Phillies questions. The full AMA can be read here.

Here are a few highlights, which have been edited lightly for clarity:

Have you heard anything about and his game plan for this series? I assume starts over him, but does Ranger get used as the first reliever in the NLDS? If they move onto the NLCS, does he start Game 4 or do they roll three-man and use him in the bullpen? -- practicallybert
Phillies manager Rob Thomson said this weekend that Suárez will be the team's No. 4 starter, so he will pitch Game 4 of the NLDS, if necessary. This year, Philadelphia will need four starters in the NLDS because there isn't an extra off-day. But there's no question Suárez's performance since returning from the IL has been concerning. His command hasn't been there. The velocity hasn't been there, either. He is just 2-3 with a 5.74 ERA (20 earned runs in 31 1/3 innings) in seven starts since he rejoined the rotation on Aug. 24.

Regardless, I suspect the Phillies will have a quick hook on Suárez in the postseason.

Do you think is gonna be on the NLDS roster? -- CalStevensonCatch
Great question. He seems to think he has a real shot, although that decision could be made after he pitches in Wednesday’s intrasquad game. If it's not him, the Phillies are looking at Max Lazar, Taijuan Walker and Nick Nelson for the final spot. (Tyler Gilbert is ineligible after he was optioned the other day.) Nelson isn't on the 40-man roster.

Is going to platoon with during the postseason? -- PointNo6736
I'd suspect Hays platoons in left field. His splits are impossible to ignore, with a .941 OPS vs. lefties and a .569 OPS vs. righties. I can see why Johan Rojas might start in center field against a righty -- he's a world-class defender. But the Phillies will need every edge imaginable in the postseason, where the quality of pitching is constant. It makes more sense to start Marsh in left field against a right-hander, or even play Marsh in center and Kody Clemens in left.

Do you get a sense that anyone on team or coaching staff is nervous about how the bye and their preparations to avoid losing their “sharpness” could play out in a short five-game set? -- Alternative_Web3258
I think everybody has some concern about it because it's a real thing. I wrote about this on Monday.

I think one thing that has come through this week is that the Phillies are not going to use the bye as an excuse. They heard the Braves say that after the past two NLDS, and they don't want to respond in the same way if something doesn't go their way.

Would you rather have or Sánchez in Game 2? -- HuntForRedOctober2
I can see why the Phillies would start Nola in Game 2 -- he's got experience and early-round postseason success -- but Sánchez's home/road splits are so drastic I think I'd be tempted to put him in the spot that gives him the best chance for success.

How aggressive do you think [Thomson] will be this time out? Is there a chance of a surprise bullpen game like Game 1 of the NLDS last year? Will we see Rojas in a lineup with a quick pinch-hit hook if there are runners on base? -- jaypb08
I think you'll see Thomson be more aggressive with his bench, especially if Philadelphia carries 14 position players and 12 pitchers. (It's been 13-13 the past two NLDS.) I don't think you'll see a surprise bullpen game. I think it's Zack Wheeler, Nola, Sánchez and Suárez, although Thomson has a good enough bullpen that I don't think he'll be shy about going to it early.

Which Phillies player in your opinion would be the best to watch a horror movie with? -- Zariman-10-0
I'd say José Alvarado because he is loud (in a good way) and I think he'd have great reactions if he got scared.