PHILADELPHIA — The Phillies are still not sure if Trea Turner will play in the final game of the regular season.
The Phillies shortstop worked out again pregame on Saturday at Citizens Bank Park. The team will make the call on activating Turner for the regular season finale after Saturday’s game. Whether they will announce the decision or not postgame, Rob Thomson is not sure.
Turner hasn’t played in a game since Sept. 7. He was placed on the 10-day injured list with a right hamstring strain on Sept. 8. The Phillies fully expect him to be ready for Game 1 of the National League Division Series on Oct. 4.
Max Kepler (illness) was not in the starting lineup on Friday and was pulled after Thursday’s rain delay. He is at the ballpark and feeling better, but not in the starting lineup against the right-hander Mick Abel. He went through a full workout prior to the game. Kepler could be available off the bench to play against the team he spent the first 10 years of his major league career with.
The ultimate goal for the Phillies over the next two games is to survive without any major injuries, but the club will go for the higher seed if there is a chance Philadelphia can catch Milwaukee for the top seed in the National League.
“If we win tonight and Milwaukee loses, we’ll probably get after it without putting people in harm’s way,” Thomson said.
Getting the No. 1 seed would mean home-field advantage throughout the entire postseason — and likely avoiding the Los Angeles Dodgers in the Division Series. The San Diego Padres and Chicago Cubs are locked in to a No. 4/5 Wild Card matchup. The winner will face the top seed in the National League.
The Phillies can get the No. 1 with two wins against the Twins and two Brewers losses to the Cincinnati Reds. The Brewers’ magic number to clinch the No. 1 seed is 1.
The Reds currently hold the last Wild Card spot in the National League. They could clinch that spot and a matchup with the Dodgers in the Wild Card round with a win and a New York Mets loss to the Miami Marlins.
Either way, the Phillies will enjoy a five-day layoff next week as the lower seeds compete in the Wild Card round. Here is the Phillies’ schedule for the bye week:
- Monday, Sept. 29: OFF DAY
- Tuesday, Sept. 30: 1 p.m. ET team workout at CBP
- Wednesday, Oct. 1: 6 p.m. ET Intrasquad game (open to fans with tickets)
- Thursday, Oct. 2: Optional workout
- Friday, Oct. 3: NLDS Workout Day
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