Phillies manager Rob Thomson has been haunted by a decision he made nearly a year ago. The choice to let Johan Rojas bat with two outs and the bases loaded in Game 7 of the National League Championship Series still weighs heavily on his mind. Rojas struck out, and Philadelphia ultimately lost to the Arizona Diamondbacks, ending their playoff run. Thomson now wishes he had sent a pinch hitter to the plate.
As the Phillies gear up for another postseason, Thomson is considering carrying a fifth bench player to provide more options for critical moments. With a potential 14 position players on the roster, Philadelphia could have a stronger lineup to face the challenges of the five-game NL Division Series.
This season, the Phillies have the opportunity to add more depth to their bench, bringing in a fifth bat to supplement their lineup. With strong starting pitchers, the team may not need as much pitching depth in a short series like the NLDS, making an extra hitter a valuable asset.