Sep 9, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Brandon Marsh (16) in a game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images Bill Streicher
After an ice-cold start to the season, Brandon Marsh is out of the lineup Monday as the Phillies open a four-game homestand against the San Francisco Giants.
Back home to take on the Giants.
🆚: San Francisco Giants
🏟️: Citizens Bank Park
⏰: 6:45PM ET
📺: NBC Sports Philadelphia
📻: 94 WIP, WTTM 1680
📸: Madeline Ressler/Phillies Nation pic.twitter.com/xBitYJ4fKJ
The Giants are going with the right-handed Landen Roupp to open the series, and Marsh has traditionally fared much better against righties than lefties. However, he's got just four hits in his first 45 at-bats this season, all of which came in March. Marsh is 0-for-24 since the calendar flipped to April.
Rob Thomson explained why he decided to give Marsh a day off ahead of Monday's series opener.
"Just to give him a blow — mental, physical blow," Thomson said of Marsh. "He's thinking about it quite a bit right now. And everybody goes through it at some point. I just thought that maybe give him a day or two off and just let him watch."
Thomson didn't outright say Marsh isn't available to come off the bench to hit late in Monday's game because he didn't want to give away his gameplan, but you were left with the strong impression that the struggling outfielder is 100% off Monday.
NEW episode of Phillies Stoplight 🚦with @TimKellySports
🚦: Brandon Marsh’s concerning start 🥶
🚦: Bryson Stott leading off?
🚦: Giants series preview pic.twitter.com/YmvJl0GMIF
If Marsh sits Tuesday against Justin Verlander, there's a good chance he'll be out of the lineup three days in a row considering Robbie Ray, a lefty, is slated to start for the Giants on Wednesday.
"Then we got Ray [on Wednesday], so it might be three," Thomson said when asked if Marsh will be out of the lineup for at least two games. "You know, see how tonight goes."
There isn't an exact formula for deciding whether to give a slumping player an off day or let them play them play through it. But Thomson believes this is what's best for Marsh right now.
"I just read the emotional state of the player, and I think he's really thinking about it," Thomson said. "He really feels like he's letting his teammates down. He's putting a lot pressure on himself to do well. And when you get to that point, I think it's just time to relax from that."
For his part, Marsh is hardly resting on his laurels even if he's likely going to get multiple games off. He, Alec Bohm, and Max Kepler joined Nick Castellanos in taking early batting practice Monday afternoon.
Nick Castellanos is well-known for his early BP work. Usually he’s out there alone. Today, he was joined by a few guys who could use something like it to change their recent hitting misfortunes: Alec Bohm, Brandon Marsh and Max Kepler. pic.twitter.com/nH6LtCMeUA
After he completed his early BP, Marsh explained why he decided to come out early with Castellanos and company.
"I gotta grind, you know? Get back on track," Marsh said. "Today was a good day, we just gotta keep stacking."
What specifically is Marsh working on as he tries to snap a 10-game hitless streak?
"I was really just getting my rhythm back," Marsh responded. "Today was a really, really good day in the cage and on the field and looking forward to taking it out there."
Marsh is about as positive of a person as there is. In addition to his production, his energy proved to be a major addition in the summer of 2022. Marsh has been Johan Rojas' biggest supporter, even when it's at times come at the expense of his playing time. Even as Marsh talked Monday during a difficult time for him on the field, you couldn't help but smile because under his hat he was wearing a headband with the Phillie Phanatic riding a Dolphin.
How does the 27-year-old manage to stay so upbeat even during times like this?
"The game is very, very tough," Marsh acknowledged. "It'll bring you down, break you down and bring you up when you least expect it. So I just gotta keep a positive mindset, and really just keep your head in the work."
