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The Philadelphia Phillies lost Game 1 of the NLDS to the Los Angeles Dodgers. It was a brutal way to begin the playoffs for the Phillies, but the outcome of the game wasn't even the worst part.
In the middle of the game, Harrison Bader, the Phillies' star trade deadline pickup, was pulled from the game for what was initially reported as a hamstring injury. After the game, it was revealed to be a groin issue, and there was some concern he'd miss Game 2.
Before Game 2 of the NLDS, the Phillies announced their lineup against left-handed pitcher Blake Snell. And, unfortunately, Bader wasn't in the lineup, as the Phillies will look to tie up the series with a new-look outfield sans Bader.
Phillies announce Game 2 lineup of NLDS against Dodgers, Harrison Bader sits
The Phillies outfield, with Bader on he bench dealing with a groin issue, has Nick Castellanos in right field with Brandon Marsh in center, and Otto Kemp in left field.
Lining up for Game 2#RedOctober pic.twitter.com/4ryCwQAUWh
— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) October 6, 2025This outfield configuration is dramatically different than Game 1, with two new starters in Kemp and Castellanos manning the corners, and Marsh gets the start in center field as their best defender without Bader.
What makes the Marsh move so notable is that he's getting the start against a left-handed pitcher. If Bader wasn't hurt, the Phillies might've played both Kemp and Castellanos at the corners and left the right-handed hitting Bader in center field.
Except, due to the injury, the Phillies have to send Marsh out against a left-hander, something he's struggled with in his big league career.
More: Phillies get encouraging Harrison Bader injury update ahead of NLDS Game 2
While he's had some moments against left-handed pitching, he's significantly better against righties. Against right-handed pitchers, he's had 337 at-bats this season with a .300 batting average and an .838 OPS. Against lefties, Marsh is hitting just .197 with a .577 OPS in 88 at-bats.
He's hit two home runs off left-handed pitching, but he's been significantly worse against lefties this season than he has been against right-handers. Normally, he wouldn't be in the lineup, but with Bader out, the Phillies have no choice.
As Charlotte Varnes of The Athletic reports, the Phillies could potentially call upon Bader later in the game, though ideally, he sits for the entire game to heal for the rest of the series.
It's an uphill battle for the Phillies in Game 2, as not only does Marsh have a tough task ahead of him against the left-handed Snell, but the Phillies' new-look outfield will need to come to play without Bader in the lineup.
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