Rob Thomson The Atlanta Braves dominated last year, winning 104 games, hitting 307 home runs, and cruising to their sixth consecutive division title. Yet, their postseason ended abruptly in the division series, despite their impressive regular-season performance.
Similarly, the Orioles and Dodgers, with 101 and 100 wins respectively, were also eliminated in that round. This raised concerns that the new playoff format, which grants a first-round bye to the top four teams, might not be as advantageous as thought. While a break can be beneficial, too much time off might disrupt a team’s rhythm and momentum.
Braves manager Brian Snitker acknowledged this issue after the team’s loss to the Phillies. “I’m not using it as an excuse,” he said, “but it’s not ideal… It’s tough in an everyday sport. I don’t like having two days off; one is usually enough. But it is what it is, and we need to figure it out.
With three weeks left in the season, Phillies manager Rob Thomson is grappling with this challenge.
The Phillies haven’t secured their playoff spot yet, but even after a heavy 10-1 loss to the Marlins, they are in contention for the best record in baseball alongside the Dodgers and are ahead of the Brewers. This could mean they’ll face a long break between the end of the regular season on September 29 and the Division Series start on October 5.
“I’m considering intrasquad games,” Thomson said on Sunday morning in Miami. “We might bring in extra players to make it feel more like a real game. But I’m not convinced that having a bye negatively impacts a team’s playoff chances; it seems more like a coincidence to me.”
It’s possible that minor leaguers might be brought in to simulate future opponents. Thomson also pondered if inviting fans to the park could create a more authentic atmosphere.
“I wouldn’t mind it, but that’s a decision for others,” Thomson remarked. “We haven’t discussed it, but it’s something I’m thinking about. We could run the scoreboard just like a real game.”
He joked about whether the Phanatic would be present, saying he needed a break.
The Phillies’ goal is to maximize their postseason potential. Their aim is to win the division, secure one of the two best records to avoid the wild card round, achieve the league’s best record for home-field advantage in the Division and Championship Series, and ultimately gain home-field advantage in the World Series with the most wins overall.
Thomson is focused on achieving this goal. The Phillies have a strong home record (47-24) compared to their away performance (38-34). “Every game is crucial,” Thomson said. “Securing home field could make a big difference in the World Series.”
At the same time, Thomson is focused on maintaining player health and managing individual statistics as the season winds down. Balancing these objectives is challenging, but Thomson aims to make the best decisions as the team progresses.