The Philadelphia Phillies have done everything necessary to award themselves a bye into the NLDS of the MLB playoffs. They have been one of the hottest teams in baseball since the end of July, and have aspirations of taking home the National League Pennant. Philadelphia won the NL East for back-to-back seasons, and manager Rob Thomson continues to look like one of the best leaders in the sport.
However, the Phillies have been without star shortstop Trea Turner for a little over two weeks, and that's raised some questions about his postseason availability. It was a hamstring issue that removed him from a game in early September, and before the Phillies' last series of the season, Rob Thomson gave a major update on Turner.
Rob Thomson gives a major Trea Turner update
In a recent X post by Phillies writer Matt Gelb, there is some recent good news on Turner's playoff status:
"Trea Turner had another good day. Ran, hit against some minor-leaguers. Rob Thomson said he’ll be ready for postseason, but they’re hedging a bit on him playing this weekend. He might. He might not."
The Phillies' last series of the season is against the Minnesota Twins. Philadelphia does still have a mathematical chance to become the top seed in the NL, but it would require a sweep of the Twins and for the Brewers to get swept in their final series against the Reds. It's unlikely, so the Phillies are going to want to take things easy in this series, and maybe get some other players off their feet during the weekend.
However, for Trea Turner, it wouldn't be a bad thing to get him a couple of at-bats so that he isn't rusty come October.
Turner is in the midst of his best season as a Philly. He leads the NL in both average (.305) and hits (179). His bWAR is above 5.0 and has added 15 home runs and 69 RBIs, primarily out of the leadoff spot.
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