The Philadelphia Phillies officially became back-to back NL East champions after defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers on Monday night (Tuesday morning for the folks on the East Coast). The Phillies have now advanced to the postseason for the fourth consecutive season.
There are still quite a few battles around baseball that need to be sorted out before the organization will know their seeding and their opponent. However, it's never too early to start looking at potential postseason roster scenarios.
These predictions are being written under the assumption that the Phillies will carry 12 pitchers for a short series either in the Wild Card or Division Series. They did that in their opening rounds in both 2023 and 2024. These predictions are also written under the assumption that both Trea Turner and Alec Bohm do not encounter setbacks on their roads back from the injured list.
Early prediction of the Phillies' playoff roster for their first postseason series in 2025
Starting pitchers (4): Cristopher Sánchez, Ranger Suárez, Aaron Nola, Jesús Luzardo
Despite needing only three starting pitchers for the NL Wild Card series or the NLDS, it would not be surprising to see the Phillies carry four of their rotation pieces into a playoff series. Cristopher Sánchez is a lock to take the ball in Game 1 of any playoff series. After that there is some lack of clarity.
The Phillies are going to shuffle their rotation for this weekend's series in Arizona, basically to set up things for the postseason. Only certainty is that Cristopher Sanchez, who starts tonight, will start Game 1 of the NLDS, should they clinch a first-round bye.
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) September 17, 2025
There is a chance that they could add one of these pieces to the bullpen or use a piggyback situation. If Aaron Nola is still struggling to get through five solid innings, they could bring in Jesús Luzardo or Ranger Suárez to eat up multiple innings.
How they will be used remains to be seen, but expect each of these four starters on the postseason roster throughout Red October.
Relief pitchers (8): Jhoan Duran, Orion Kerkering, Matt Strahm, David Robertson, Tanner Banks, Walker Buehler, Lou Trivino, and Tim Mayza
This is the main area on the roster that seems like there could be some question marks. The first six pitchers on this list feel like locks. Walker Buehler can be a long man and has previous postseason success, the other five are all solidified and trusted members of the Phillies' bullpen.
Lou Trivino and Tim Mayza have been solid since joining Philadelphia and could provide some middle-inning relief if needed. The pitcher that may get the short end of the stick is Taijuan Walker. He has pitched fairly well this season, as a member of the starting staff and the relief corps, however, with four starters and Buehler, is there room for another starter who takes a while to get loose?
Walker has also struggled lately. He has allowed four or more runs in his previous four outings. Max Lazar has also struggled and should be left off the roster for October. Should the club carry the maximum of 13 pitchers, then Walker should get the nod given his performance over the course of the season and his salary.
Catchers (2): J.T Realmuto, Rafael Marchán
The Phillies will carry two catchers but really everyone knows that J.T. Realmuto is going to play every postseason game that the club appears in barring an injury. With built in days off for travel, the veteran will get his rest and will not see the bench.
Rafael Marchán has been with the big-league club as Realmuto's backup all season, which is why it feels like he would carry on that role into the playoffs. While Garrett Stubbs once again led the celebration in the clubhouse after clinching the division, it would be surprising to see him slide into this spot.
WE'RE MARCHÁN BACK OUT IN FRONT pic.twitter.com/y0YsUudrh5
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) September 17, 2025
Infielders (6): Bryce Harper, Bryson Stott, Trea Turner, Alec Bohm, Edmundo Sosa, Otto Kemp
Assuming that Turner and Bohm are healthy and return from the injured list when projected, the starting infield will be set. Edmundo Sosa is dealing with an injury that could hamper his chances of cracking the postseason roster, but it seems he could return sooner rather than later.
That leaves one more infield spot. Even though he is right-handed, Kemp has the most MLB experience and can be valuable to the club in that regard. If manager Rob Thomson decides to continue to sit Bryson Stott against left-handed starters, he could become a left-handed bench bat should Sosa or Kemp get the start.
Outfielders (6): Kyle Schwarber, Harrison Bader, Brandon Marsh, Max Kepler, Nick Castellanos, Weston Wilson
Kyle Schwarber is being listed as an outfielder even though he will not be spending time playing defense in the postseason. He will continue to help power the offense as the team's designated hitter. Each of the next four players listed are locks to make the playoff roster as Thomson's platoon in the outfield has paid dividends since being put into place.
Weston Wilson is listed as an outfielder on the Phillies' active roster, but he can also spend time in the infield. His likely postseason role will be to serve as a right-handed bat off the bench.