The Philadelphia Phillies picked up a win on Opening Day but it didn’t come without some difficulties. The Phillies struck out 19 times – including 12 times against opposing starter MacKenzie Gore – but came alive in the top of the 10th inning to earn a 7-3 victory.
While many of the players in Thursday’s lineup were identical to the one that ranked fifth in baseball with 4.84 runs per game last season, Phillies manager Rob Thompson made some adjustments in an attempt to shake things up.
The quartet of Trea Turner, Bryce Harper, Alec Bohm and Kyle Schwarber represented the first four batters for Thursday’s opener. But Thompson kept the door open for some changes that could take place as the Phillies settle into the 2025 season.
Rob Thompson Hints at Changes to Phillies Lineup
Thompson’s hints came via MLB.com’s Todd Zolecki. While the front four went a combined 5-for-17 with four RBI on Opening Day, Zolecki suggested the Phillies could make more changes although it’s more about the batting order than who is in the top four spots.
“Phillies manager Rob Thomson entered the season knowing he wanted Turner, Bohm and Schwarber to be his first four hitters in the lineup. He just didn’t know exactly how he wanted to hit them. He still doesn’t know how it’s going to go the entire season. …It means Schwarber could hit leadoff followed by Turner, Harper and Bohm.”
Thomson later admitted that “We’re still playing with it,” in regards to the Phillies lineup which brings some options going forward. Schwarber was the Phillies’ leadoff hitter in all 149 games he started last year and brings a power element, smashing 38 homers from that spot last year. But Turner brings a more traditional element, using his speed and .348 career on-base percentage to set the table for Schwarber, Harper and Bohm.
It took about six innings for the Phillies to adjust on Thursday but it may be a short-lived experiment. No matter where the top four hitters are in the lineup, Philadelphia is going to score runs and Thomson has the freedom to find what order looks best.