Phillies observations and thoughts as World Series showdown with Astros nears

PHILADELPHIA — The supply was low, and the party was just beginning Sunday night. No one had noticed yet. But someone is always behind the scenes watching. A Phillies clubhouse employee pushed a flatbed cart with a towering pile of beer cases into the middle of the room.

Everyone cheered.

In the weeks since the Phillies altered the course of the entire organization with a postseason run that might be unparalleled in its unexpectedness, there have been small moments to appreciate the insanity of it all. Maybe it’s a head shake in passing. A quick interaction with no words exchanged, just a look that is understood. Can you believe this? Sometimes, it’s a glance and a raised eyebrow.

J.T. Realmuto stood near that beer cart Sunday and basked in it all. He took a drink. He is the highest-paid catcher in the sport and had never reached the postseason until this October. Now, he was going to the World Series. The 2022 Phillies will always walk together — no matter what happens against Houston.

But this journey toward eternal greatness had inched closer. Four more wins.

“​​Incredible, man,” Realmuto said.

There was nothing else to say. The Phillies rested Monday and Tuesday. They will have a workout Wednesday morning at Citizens Bank Park, then fly to Houston for the 118th Fall Classic. They have played 173 games since Opening Day on April 8. It takes more than talent to still be standing.

With about 60 hours until the World Series begins, here are some observations and thoughts on the Phillies.

Bryce Harper, J.T. Realmuto and company celebrate after winning the NLCS. (Bill Streicher / USA Today)

Aaron Nola was going to start the next game the Phillies played in the National League Championship Series, so it is logical that he starts Game 1 of the World Series. (Realmuto, actually, said Nola was in consideration for the emergency closer role that Ranger Suárez filled in Game 5. But Nola said he was not aware of that, and he was not wearing his spikes in the dugout.) Either way, starting Nola on Friday, the ninth day since he last pitched, allows an extra day for Zack Wheeler.

He probably needs it. The Phillies have not pushed Wheeler past the 90-pitch mark since his first postseason start against St. Louis. He’s lost velocity in the later innings of his outings. It’s not surprising; these starts are emotional and Wheeler, like any pitcher, has more juice at the beginning. The pitches in the postseason exact a different level of stress on the body. Wheeler has allowed five runs in 25 1/3 innings with 25 strikeouts against three walks. He is on an incredible run. If an extra day helps him feel 2 percent better, it’s worth it.

There are larger concerns as it relates to the series. If Nola starts Game 1, that means he returns for a Game 5 while Wheeler would slot into Game 6.

Would the Phillies consider either one of them on short rest for Games 4 and 5? Probably not. Now, if Nola pitches Game 5 and there is a Game 7, he could be in play for a few innings because he’d have two days between those appearances. Neither Nola nor Wheeler has ever pitched on short rest.

But, if the Phillies are that close to a championship, the past matters little.

It would be surprising if the Phillies altered their roster from the NLCS to the World Series, but it might be worthwhile to have a conversation about Brad Hand. The Astros, like the Padres, have a dangerous lefty hitter who looms in the middle of their lineup. Hand was there for Juan Soto in the middle innings. It did not always work well. Hand, at times, looked like a pitcher who knew he did not have swing-and-miss stuff in the zone and was fearful of throwing strikes. It’s hard to trust him against Astros slugger Yordan Alvarez.

Last round, the Phillies added lefty Cristopher Sánchez to their taxi squad. He was not with the Phillies during the NLDS; he was working with the “stay ready” group in Clearwater, Fla. The team wanted him nearby in the NLCS. They have always liked the idea of Sánchez as a traditional reliever. He spent most of the season bouncing between rotation and bullpen roles.

Could Sánchez be in play for the World Series? It would be a huge risk; he has not pitched in a game since Oct. 1. Sánchez has a power sinker the Phillies like. It was a promising pitch for him in the majors. And, there’s this: Alvarez batted .283 with a .396 slugging percentage against sinkers from lefty pitchers. There are very few ways to quell Alvarez’s power stroke, but this is one.

Maybe the Phillies are more confident in Connor Brogdon, whose changeup was a weapon against lefty hitters all season. (They hit .217 with a .304 slugging percentage against it.) Only problem: Alvarez hit .339 with a .898 slugging percentage versus changeups from righties in 2022.

He can change a series, and he’s a tough matchup no matter who is on the mound.

There will be time to step back and assess the meaning of this October once the end has been…