Phillies: 50-game regular season could be beneficial

While it appears the 2020 regular season will include only 50 games or so, a shortened schedule could be beneficial for the Philadelphia Phillies.

With the MLBPA’s decision not to counter the league’s latest offer, saying “tell us when and where” to play, it’s all but certain that the league will implement a schedule of roughly 50 games. But, what could that mean for the Philadelphia Phillies?

The team started strong out of the gate the past two seasons. Through their first 50 games of 2018, they were in the first wild card spot and only half a game behind the NL East-leading Atlanta Braves. Through their first 50 games of 2019, they had a game and a half lead over the Braves in the NL East.

The Chicago Cubs were leading the NL Central at that time, putting two teams that missed the postseason in a playoff spot, with the St. Louis Cardinals on the outside looking in and the eventual champion Washington Nationals second-last in the National League.

How will the Phillies handle their lineups?

Of course, the many oddities of this year would make a 50-game schedule different from just looking at the first 50 games of a previous season, plus injuries play a factor as well. But still, if the Phillies can keep their trend of a strong start going, that would help them in a shortened 2020 season.

The most pressure in a shortened season would seem to fall on the manager. With a regular season accounting for less than a third of its normal length, the starters, if healthy, would all easily be able to take part in every game. But where can the bench players and prospects factor into the equation?

The Phillies played 28 games last September, giving players on their expanded roster the possibility of taking part in up to 28 games, which accounted for roughly 17 percent of the schedule. In a 50-game schedule, 17 percent would amount to only eight and a half games, while 28 games would make up 56 percent of the season.

With the possibility of expanded rosters, top prospects like Alec Bohm could play a larger role in the outcome of the season than they would as a September call-up.

The expanded rosters and shortened schedule will mean fewer at-bats to share with a larger number of players. This creates a fine line to balance between allowing starters to make their usual impact with the same amount of playing time, while ensuring that the bench will also have enough playing time to get in-tune and avoid getting rusty.

What could be the Phillies best approach in 2020?

A spring training-like approach could be an option. The starters can get two at-bats in each game, but would need at least one hit or a walk to avoid potentially being taken out of the game to allow a bench player an at-bat or two.

Despite the possibility of an expanded postseason, with an increase of three teams per league, it’s still important to not fall too many games behind. This would put more emphasis on keeping with the hot hand, which could mean a regular starter switching places with a bench player who’s doing well.

How will the Phillies handle their pitchers in 2020?

The story for pitchers would depend heavily on the timeframe for a 50-game schedule. If spring training 2.0 can start soon and the regular season can begin in July, there’s the possibility for fewer games per week.

If the 50 games are spread out across 13 weeks, that would mean only three or four games a week. A 50-game schedule starting in August and spreading over nine weeks would total five or six games a week, closer to normal but still with more off-days.

The more the schedule is spread out, the fewer starting pitchers are needed, which would be better for the Phillies with their pitching struggles in recent years.

A four-man rotation would mirror the postseason and allow for a starter or two to enter the bullpen, where they could post better numbers with fewer innings pitched.

With games spread out, spot starts would provide even more rest than usual for the starter who’s taking a day off. This could be beneficial for Jake Arrieta, who’s getting up there in age and coming off a season-ending injury from last year.

Fewer games and a smaller rotation would also allow more rest for the top relievers and closer Hector Neris. While all teams would be in the same spot, a shortened schedule would seem to favor teams like the Phillies who have less pitching depth.

The various unknowns of a shortened 2020 season makes managing a team the ultimate chess game, which is also beneficial for the Phillies.

Thank goodness the Phillies have Joe Girardi

New manager Joe Girardi is no stranger to success. He has 11 seasons of experience, including a 910-710 record, six postseason appearances and a World Series championship in ten seasons with the New York Yankees.

Girardi faced criticism for deciding not to challenge a play in the 2017 ALDS, which the Yankees eventually won before being eliminated in the ALCS. The Yankees parted ways with Girardi after that season.

Despite the criticism from his most recent time as manager, his record speaks for itself and his two years as an analyst on MLB Network’s MLB Tonight allowed him to see the game from a different perspective.

His TV and managerial experience should combine to give him a leg-up in this possible managerial chess game of a shortened season.

While there are still many unknowns, Phillies fans have reason to be optimistic that a 50-game season could be beneficial for the team this year.

Of course, the rift between the MLB and MLBPA opens the possibility of notable players sitting out, but that’s another story for another day.