Heading into Game 3 of the NLDS, the Philadelphia Phillies have no room for error. Down 0-2 to the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Phillies will need to win out to move on to the NLCS.
It's not out of the realm of possibility, but it's a major challenge for the Phillies. It's going to be even tougher than it is on paper, as Harrison Bader isn't at 100 percent after suffering an injury in Game 1 of the NLDS.
Ahead of Game 3, Bob Cooney of NBC Sports Philadelphia revealed a brutal update on Bader's injury. While he isn't out for the rest of the postseason, Bader won't be ready to be a major contributor for the rest of the NLDS.
Phillies get unfortunate Harrison Bader injury update
"The part that wasn't so well known but now seems to have come to light a little bit more is that Harrison Bader probably won't be a major participant for the rest of this series," Cooney writes, "In what we know is a hamstring strain."
Initially, the Bader injury was reported as a hamstring issue, then it was reported as a groin issue, and now, it's officially a hamstring strain. A hamstring injury is a brutal outcome for Bader, as it severely limits what he does best as a fielder and base runner.
He can pinch-hit, like he did in Game 2 of the NLDS. But the Phillies can't utilize his skillset to its fullest. Brandon Marsh will once again make a start in center field, and Max Kepler will also be in the lineup with righty Yoshinobu Yamamoto on the mound for Los Angeles.
Their plan for Game 2 of the NLDS in replacing Bader will be similar to their Game 3 plan, though with a right-hander on the mound, the matchup advantages will be slightly different.
More: How the Phillies can replace Harrison Bader for Game 2 of the NLDS
This report is a brutal update for Bader, as a hamstring injury isn't an easy thing to recover from. Now, not only is Bader only a pinch hitter, but he has to be subbed out for a pinch runner if he gets on base.
Philadelphia is down one of its best fielders and hitters for the rest of the NLDS. While he can pinch-hit, the Phillies should try to avoid using him to allow him to heal as much as possible.
It's such an unfortunate turn of events for Bader and the Phillies. he was thriving in Philadelphia and becoming a fan favorite. Now, he'll have to sit on the bench and watch as the Phillies try to stay alive in the NLDS against the defending World Series champions.
More Phillies News:
- Phillies get encouraging Harrison Bader injury update ahead of NLDS Game 2
- Phillies' Kyle Schwarber vows to be better after 0-4 NLDS Game 1
- Matt Strahm blasts MLB analyst after Phillies' NLDS loss
- Phillies' Cristopher Sanchez shares four-word message ahead of NLDS