Sep 15, 2025; Los Angeles, California, USA; Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Weston Wilson (37) is greeted by shortstop Bryson Stott (5) and center fielder Harrison Bader (2) after hitting a two run home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers during the seventh inning at Dodger Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images Gary A. Vasquez
Whether the Phillies are the No. 1 or No. 2 seed in the National League playoffs, it appears increasingly certain that they'll have a first-round bye.
That would mean that the Phillies would host Game 1 of the best-of-five NLDS on Saturday, Oct. 4. The NL will have an off day on Sunday, Oct. 5, before Game 2 on Monday, Oct. 6. The off day will certainly factor into roster building, potentially pushing the Phillies to carry 14 hitters and 12 pitchers in the NLDS, before going to 13 and 13 if they reach the NLCS.
With that background information, here's a look at On Pattison's first 26-man postseason roster projection:
DH (1): Kyle Schwarber
The Schwarbarian really is the Octoberbarian.
Schwarber will enter this postseason fourth in MLB history with 21 career playoff home runs. He trails only Manny Ramirez (29), Jose Altuve (27) and Bernie Williams (22). He's tied with Bryce Harper for the most postseason home runs in Phillies history at 12.
Catchers (2): J.T. Realmuto and Rafael Marchán
Even when the Phillies called up Garrett Stubbs in early September, Rob Thomson was quick to point out that Marchán was still the backup catcher. He called Marchán a "tireless preparer," adding that "for that job, he's had a really, really good year."
Marchán's offensive numbers may not indicate that he's had a great year, but that's maybe not the best way to gauge someone who plays so rarely. He's handled the pitching staff well, and like Realmuto, is very difficult to steal bases against. And his game-winning home run Tuesday in Los Angeles waa one of the biggest hits that the Phillies have gotten this season.
So yes, if there was any doubt, we're projecting Marchán to be the backup catcher on the NLDS roster. And that means he'll get the honor of watching Realmuto start every postseason game, barring an injury.
Infielders (6): Bryce Harper, Bryson Stott, Trea Turner, Alec Bohm, Edmundo Sosa and Otto Kemp
All of this assumes that Turner (right hamstring strain), Bohm (left shoulder soreness) and Sosa (right groin strain) are all healthy when the postseason rolls around. That's expected to be the case.
Meanwhile, Kemp has forced his way onto the roster with his play since being recalled from Triple-A on Sept. 8. Kemp hit .323 with four doubles, two homers and seven RBIs over his first 31 at-bats this month. Whether the rookie pushes Bohm for starts at third base or is just another right-handed option off the bench, he's earned being on the roster.
Outfielders (5): Brandon Marsh, Harrison Bader, Max Kepler, Nick Castellanos and Weston Wilson
Marsh, Bader, Kepler and Castellanos are all fairly obvious. There was some thought of putting Johan Rojas on the roster to get a strong pinch runner, but Wilson has delivered from a power perspective recently, and is faster than given credit for.
Starting Pitchers (4): Cristopher Sánchez, Ranger Suárez, Jesús Luzardo and Aaron Nola
Sánchez is unquestionably starting Game 1, and if you listened to Thomson discuss his potential playoff rotation Wednesday, it sounds like he would use Suárez to break up the two power lefties in Sánchez and Luzardo.
Thomson didn't seem to think Nola was likely to be used in a role other than starter, but it's unclear if he would actually make a start in this series. With an off day after Game 1, there's not really a good argument for using four starters, as opposed to just having Sánchez come back if there's a Game 4, and setting up Suárez for Game 5, if necessary.
Just from a baseball sense, there's an argument for leaving Nola off the NLDS roster considering he has a 6.44 ERA in 15 starts this season and no career appearances out of the bullpen.
But it's not that simple. Nola is a franchise icon that's wrapping up the second season of a seven-year/$172 million deal. He probably would be the Game 4 starter in the NLCS, should the Phillies get there. It would be shocking if he's not on the roster.
Is there a chance Nola is on the roster but doesn't actually pitch in the NLDS? Very much so.
Could Walker Buehler knock Aaron Nola out of the postseason starting rotation? It doesn’t sound like it.
(Via @AntSanPhilly) pic.twitter.com/OElDaxvRds
Relievers (8): Jhoan Duran, Matt Strahm, David Robertson, Orion Kerkering, Tanner Banks, Tim Mayza, Walker Buehler, Taijuan Walker
Duran, Strahm, Robertson, Kerkering and Banks, assuming health, are locks.
The last three spots are up for grabs.
Mayza has a 6.23 ERA in five appearances with the Phillies, but him being a lefty gives him an advantage over some of the other bullpen options.
Buehler will piggyback with Walker Friday in Arizona, and then again Thursday vs. the Miami Marlins. Friday, Buehler will relieve Walker, and then the roles will flip the next time around.
The Phillies are going to do a Walker-Buehler piggyback Friday … Taijuan Walker and Walker Buehler.
(Via @AntSanPhilly) pic.twitter.com/iO7IzUq3cI
Buehler has made just one start for the Phillies, so he's definitely pitching for a spot on the postseason roster over his final two appearances. But he closed out the World Series last year, and has 94 2/3 career postseason innings pitched. He could pitch multiple innings if the Phillies need it in a game where they are losing but not completely out of it.
Walker, meanwhile, has been a good solider for the Phillies all year, pitching out of whatever role has been asked of him. He likely would be used either in a situation where the game is out of hand, or it has gone well into extra innings (there is no zombie runner in the playoffs).
Lou Trivino has a 1.59 ERA in six games since joining the Phillies, but we've projected the Upper Bucks Christian School graduate to be the first guy off the NLDS bullpen.
Also off is Max Lazar, who has a 6.89 ERA in 17 games since the All-Star Break, as opposed to 3.54 in 15 games in the first half.
