🚨PLAYOFF PANIC: Phillies are rumored to be axing their $72 million veteran just before the postseason, sending fans into meltdown, social media blowing up with rage and disbelief, whispers of locker room chaos and historic shakeups spreading like wildfire, analysts scrambling as everyone braces for the most shocking move of the season, nobody dares to blink as the drama unfolds.

Zack Wheeler on Continuing To Evolve | FanGraphs Baseball

The Philadelphia Phillies have locked in a playoff berth for the fourth straight year thanks in large part to one of the sport’s best starting rotations.

Coming into the season, the Phillies had All-Star candidates Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, Cristopher Sanchez and Ranger Suarez returning with Jesus Luzardo added to the mix via trade and top prospect Andrew Painter waiting in the wings. And while their starting staff has been just about as good as advertised, it has taken some hits on the road to the playoffs.

Wheeler has been ruled out for the season, Nola has struggled mightily with command and Painter was never deemed ready for the big leagues. Now the Phillies are facing some questions about which pitchers to include on the playoff roster.

Sanchez would make sense as the Game 1 starter, while Suarez and Luzardo seem most likely to pitch the next two games. Then, between Aaron Nola, Walker Buehler and Taijuan Walker, the picture becomes less clear.

But Eric Moratelli of That Ball’s Outta Here predicted the Phillies would slot Nola in as the fourth starter, while moving Buehler to the bullpen and leaving Walker off of the playoff roster entirely.

“The pitcher that may get the short end of the stick is Taijuan Walker,” Moratelli wrote. “He has pitched fairly well this season, as a member of the starting staff and the relief corps, however, with four starters and Buehler, is there room for another starter who takes a while to get loose?”

That move would be a bit of a surprise as Walker seemed to have found his groove in a slightly diminished role this season. After posting a 7.10 ERA last year, he has a more respectable 4.17 ERA in 31 total games with 20 starts this year.

The decision to ditch Walker before the playoffs would also be a harsh referendum on his $72 million contract. Given that he has one more year with the Phillies at $18 million remaining, the team might want to carry him into the postseason in hopes of building up a better return for next season or perhaps some trade value for the winter.

 

 

Related Posts

🚨 MLB INSIDE RESET: The White Sox’s newly assembled coaching staff is raising quiet but serious questions across the league, as subtle hires, shifted responsibilities, and a clear change in philosophy hint at a deeper organizational reset. What looks like routine restructuring on the surface may actually signal a long term plan that hasn’t been fully explained yet — and insiders believe the real impact will only become clear once the season pressure hits.

The Chicago White Sox have finalized their coaching staff for the 2026 season following sweeping changes made at the end of September.

🚨 MLB INSIDE TRADE RUMBLINGS: The Braves are suddenly being linked to a bold trade for a $6 million NL rival left hander, a move insiders say could quietly solve multiple problems at once and even position him as a long term heir to Chris Sale. What looks like a low risk deal on paper may actually hide a far bigger plan, with Atlanta reportedly intrigued by a dynamic arsenal that hasn’t fully been unlocked yet — and the timing of this rumor is raising serious eyebrows across the league.

The Braves could go after a young star.

🚨 MLB INSIDE STORM BREWING: As hopes of an Alex Bregman return quietly fade, a new projection suggests the Red Sox may be preparing a jaw dropping $186 million swing for Bo Bichette, a move insiders believe could redefine Boston’s future in one bold stroke. What once seemed unrealistic is now gaining traction behind the scenes, and if this prediction turns real, the ripple effect could shock the AL East and completely change how this offseason is remembered.

A former MLB executive now believes that the Boston Red Sox will land coveted free agent infielder Bo Bichette from Toronto.

🚨 MLB INSIDE WHISPERS: Something big is quietly brewing behind closed doors in New York, as new projections hint the Yankees may be lining up an elite shortstop signing that goes far beyond a normal free-agency move. What started as a low-key prediction is now being viewed as a potential power shift, with insiders suggesting this decision could redefine the Yankees’ identity and force the entire American League to adjust sooner than expected.

The New York Yankees haven’t done much during the offseason, but MLB rumors continue to swirl. New York has been […]

Cubs Predicted To Land Marquee Free Agent Starting Pitcher On Six-Year Contract

The Cubs are in the market for a top-of-the-rotation starting pitcher, and David Schoenfield of ESPN predicted them to land Framber Valdez, previously of the Houston Astros.

🚨 INSIDE NFL REVELATION: The Packers reportedly had a stunning opportunity to sign an all time great for just $5 million, yet chose to walk away without even making a free agent offer — a quiet decision that is now raising serious questions inside the fanbase and league circles alike. What seemed insignificant at the time is suddenly being revisited as a potential turning point, with insiders suggesting this missed move could have changed far more than anyone realized.

Green Bay missed an opportunity.