Phillies largely done with lineup rotation for playoff push

After several months of constant shifts in the lineup, the Phillies are finally honing in their starting lineup for the playoff push.

At the beginning of this season, the Phillies lineup seemingly changed by the day. They had four outfielders for three spots and five infielders for four spots in the lineup. Manager Gabe Kapler constantly had players in and out of the lineup depending on who the team was facing.

Poor performance and injuries brought some stability to the lineup, but it was never a certainty. The deadline acquisition of Asdrubal Cabrera could have brought the shuffle back, but Kapler has kept his lineups largely the same since the acquisition.

Cabrera has taken over the starting shortstop role, and Maikel Franco’s performance has kept him in the lineup at third base. Kapler told reporters that those two are going to stay in the lineup for the foreseeable future: [quote via Jim Salisbury of NBC Sports Philadelphia]

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“Right now, it looks like Cabrera is going to play a good bit,” Kapler said. “And (third baseman) Mikey Franco has been really good for two months straight. So those guys have earned the opportunity in a playoff run to play quite a bit. So, for now, that’s how we see it.”

Earlier this season, Kapler was willing to shift the lineup all over the place to find a spot for Scott Kingery and J.P. Crawford. The team did some major manipulation to keep them both on the roster for the next few days.

However, they will only come off the bench. It has taken all season, but Kapler is finally admitting that Kingery doesn’t need to be in the lineup.

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There was also thought that recent acquisition Justin Bour could start some games at first base for Carlos Santana. There was a good chance to do that Saturday night with a righty on the mound, but Santana started regardless. Kapler maintained that Bour will be used as a bench weapon with Santana staying as the everyday starter.

From here on out, the starting lineup seems set. The only consistent changes will be swapping Jorge Alfaro and Andrew Knapp behind the plate, at least until Wilson Ramos arrives. Roman Quinn may start for Odubel Herrera against a lefty starter like he will Sunday, but the starters for the rest of the year are known.

Looking at the roster, Kapler is starting the players with the most offensive potential, which is something they will need over the coming weeks. Having some consistency with the starting lineup the rest of the season certainly won’t be a bad thing.