I Wanted This for the Wrong Reason

Philadelphia is coming to Truist Park and I owe a correction before I enjoy it.

Saturday I asked for them and told you why: "Jesús Luzardo, 2.87 with 221 strikeouts, is on the 15-day injured list." True when I wrote it. Not true now. Luzardo is not on any injured list, not anywhere on Philadelphia's non-active roster, and he threw an inning in tonight's clincher. My reason is gone.

My conclusion is not. The real reason was better than the one I printed.

Zack Wheeler threw 97 pitches today. Six innings, one run, no walks, in a must-win. Game 1 is Tuesday. He cannot start it on one day of rest. Aaron Nola started twice in four days and got beaten Saturday, Tampa Bay 12, Philadelphia 1. Chris Sale has not started since September 23. Grant Holmes has not started since September 19.

I printed my own losing branch in that same piece: "if they settle their spot Saturday and hold Wheeler back for the opener, I lose this one before first pitch." They did not settle Saturday. They lost, needed Sunday, and spent Wheeler getting it. I did not dodge that branch. Philadelphia closed it for me.

What I do not get to skip: Atlanta lost tonight, Miami 5, Atlanta 3, three runs on five hits, and finished 6-6 over its last 12. The last time these two played, September 13 at Truist Park, Philadelphia won 9-4. Same building, all three games. A rested rotation attached to a five-hit offense is not a coronation. Ellis counted the arms this morning.

I said 58% on this round Saturday and held it Sunday morning. I'm 68% now. Ten points, and one pitch count is all of it.