2 min read • October 07, 2022
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Reigning MVP Bryce Harper and second baseman Jean Segura both missed much of the second half for the Phillies after suffering fractured fingers but the offense remained strong, helping jump-start their playoff resurgence that featured a 66-46 record since June 1 and a 15-20 record since August 28.
Harper hasn’t played in the outfield since early Spring because of a torn right UCL but the injury hasn’t hindered his hitting and the 29-year-old has 18 home runs with 65 RBI on an .878 OPS in 99 games this season.
Slugger Kyle Schwarber played through a calf issue for much of the regular second half but still took the NL home run crown with a career-best 46 – and a league-most 200 strikeouts – in 155 games.
The rest of the Phillies’ key position players – including right fielder Nick Castellanos, third baseman Alec Bohm, first baseman Rhys Hoskins, and catcher J.T. Realmuto – have been available and effective at the plate.
Their major remaining holdout is versatile reserve infielder Edmundo Soto, who suffered a hamstring strain on Sept. 15 and is still working out to see if he’s ready to return on Friday.
No. 1 starter Zack Wheeler missed a month with right forearm tendonitis but returned on Sept. 21 and has allowed one run and struck out 15 batters in 15 innings since.
Late reliever Brad Hand – one of 12 Phillies to record a save this season – is on the 15-day IL with left elbow tendonitis but reportedly could return for the series.
The story of this season for the AL central-winning and defensively dynamic Cardinals – aside from Albert Pujols’ exciting chase towards 700 home runs – has been the dichotomy between their infield and outfield play.
Powered by MVP candidates Paul Goldschmidt and Nolan Arenado and second baseman Tommy Edman, the infield is one of the best in baseball and has featured the same four starters for much of the season; the outfield, meanwhile, has been one of the most disappointing position groups in baseball and may see a completely new starting three due to key injured players.
Left fielder Tyler O’Neill has played in only 96 games this season due to a back-to-back-to-back run of injuries starting in May and remains sidelined for the Wild Card series due to a hamstring strain.
Centerfielder Harrison Bader was injured for much of the season before being shipped to the Yankees and his expected replacement, Dylan Carlson, suffered a thumb sprain in August and has struggled against right-handed pitchers since returning, so much so that he may ride the pine in the three-game series.
The expected starting unit on Friday of Corey Dickerson, Lars Nootbaar, and Alec Burleson features one veteran journeyman and two rookies who have a combined 182 career games.
The pitching staff has been regularly strong despite missing former No. 1 starter Jack Flaherty for nearly the whole season while he was working through significant shoulder inflammation. After a failed June return Flaherty came back for good on Sept. 5 and has a 3.86 ERA, .262 opponent batting average, and 27 strikeouts in 28 innings since.
St. Louis’ two best relievers, Ryan Hensley and Jordan Hicks, both suffered recent injuries but are expected to be healthy and available when the series begins on Friday.
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