Phillies playoff notes: The latest on Luzardo, Arraez and if shadows will impact the game

ATLANTA – Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss is assuming his lineup will see the best version of Jesús Luzardo. 

The Phillies insist that they “don’t know what to expect” out of Luzardo. Some of it may be gamesmanship.

There is at least some truth to it, as Luzardo hasn’t thrown more than four pitches in a game since he threw a complete-game shutout against the Braves at home on Sept. 7. 

Weiss isn’t sold on the “opener” label. 

“Who said that?” Weiss asked.

“Don Mattingly,” a reporter replied. 

“Very skeptical,” Weiss laughed. 

“Donnie is great, man,” Weiss said. “I think if he’s pitching well, he’ll keep going. That’s kind of how I look at it and that’s typically how it works. I didn’t put a whole lot of stock into that. I’m sure the game will dictate how deep he goes.” 

Mattingly, unsurprisingly, did not provide any further clarity on Luzardo. Andrew Painter is expected to factor in out of the bullpen. 

“More read and react today,” Mattingly said. “We’ll just see what it looks like. It’ll kind of be in medical’s hands a little bit from the standpoint of what they think is healthy for him or good for him long-term.” 

The Latest on Arraez 

Luis Arraez (left ankle sprain) was not included on the NL wild card roster. Otto Kemp, now wearing No. 31 after Arraez took his No. 4, will replace him on the roster. 

With little position player depth behind Kemp, the Phillies are carrying three catchers: J.T. Realmuto, Garrett Stubbs and Rafael Marchan. The Phillies could use Stubbs as a pinch-runner. 

The Phillies could roster Arraez for the Division Series, assuming they make it. But it doesn’t sound like he is progressing. 

“Well, we hope that it’s a possibility,” Mattingly said when asked if Arraez could be back for the Division Series. 

Arraez injured his ankle on Sept. 24 sliding back into first base. He was seen in a walking boot in the clubhouse after Sunday’s game. He has not swung a bat since the injury. 

“Obviously he tried some stuff yesterday and just wasn’t able to do anything,” Mattingly said. “He feels like he’s better. He feels better but not to the point of being able to compete at the major league level. We’re hoping, obviously, number one, to advance, which gives him a few more days and allows him to be a part of it.” 

Beat the Shadows

Shadows played a factor in the last two Phillies postseasons. They were a huge factor in the first two games of the NLDS in 2024, when the Phillies only scored two runs in Game 1 against the New York Mets. The at-bat quality for both teams improved as the shadows in South Philly went away. 

They were a factor against Tyler Glasnow at Dodger Stadium last year in Game 4 of the NLDS against the Dodgers. 

All three games against the Braves in Atlanta are scheduled to begin at 2 p.m. ET. The Braves typically play only a handful of home games a year during the day due to parking restrictions around the ballpark. 

So nobody really knows for sure what the hitting conditions will look like. Kyle Schwarber thinks shadows could be a factor later in the game.

“I know from playing some day games here that normally once we get done with the game, that hasn’t been the case,” Schwarber said. “But you never know once we start getting towards the later innings. But I know that for the first good part of the game, we’re going to be fine.

“I don’t foresee that to be an issue. If that is an issue, both teams are going to have to go through it. Both teams are going to have to find a way. Yeah, we haven’t looked too far into that right now.”