NEW YORK — Rob Thomson stated Sunday that it felt prefer it had been a month for the reason that Phillies clinched their spot within the playoffs.

It had been simply 5 days, however these have been 5 lengthy days as Thomson has blended and matched to cowl innings within the remaining handful of regular-season video games. The Phillies’ entrance workplace plucked from their depth at Triple A within the remaining collection at Citi Field, calling up reliever Luis Ortiz for Game 160, Michael Plassmeyer to start out Game 161 and Nick Nelson to pitch bulk innings behind opener Matt Strahm in Game 162.

Thomson’s focus has been protecting gamers wholesome whereas additionally getting them sufficient reps to remain sharp for the wild-card spherical, which begins Tuesday. The Phillies are one win away from reaching 90 however he wasn’t going to prioritize that over having the crew in the absolute best form for the postseason.

“I’d love to get to 90 wins. It’s a nice, round number and I don’t think it’s happened around here in a long time,” he stated Sunday. “But as long as the players are healthy, I’m good with that. The health of the players means more.”

Zack Wheeler and Ranger Suarez made abbreviated begins this week as the ultimate tune-up earlier than the playoffs. Taijuan Walker emptied the tank Saturday afternoon as a result of the Phillies wanted size in Game 1 of their doubleheader in opposition to the Mets.

Wheeler will begin Game 1 of the wild-card collection Tuesday. Aaron Nola will begin Game 2 Wednesday. If there’s a Game 3, Ranger Suarez appears prone to begin a must-win that might contain a lot of the bullpen.

Thomson used 5 relievers in Saturday’s nightcap — Jeff Hoffman, Orion Kerkering, Jose Alvarado, Craig Kimbrel and Cristopher Sanchez — and none will pitch Sunday. After Strahm and Nelson on Sunday, the Phillies plan to make use of Gregory Soto, Seranthony Dominguez and Michael Lorenzen. They wished to get everybody an look to keep away from an extended layoff earlier than the wild-card collection.

“It has, it really has,” Thomson stated when requested if it is felt like an eternity for the reason that Phillies claimed the 4-seed within the National League. “You’re sitting on your hands the whole time just hoping nothing terrible happens to your players. It just seems like a month since we’ve clinched. We’ve had to do a lot of planning for health reasons and then you do all this planning and you’re still sitting there. It’s concerning, it really is.”

One factor he is not involved about is the Phillies being unable to flip a swap as soon as Tuesday arrives.

“They get in front of 40,000 screaming people that are a little bit inebriated,” Thomson stated, “and the energy level tends to go up.”