Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson faced tough questions after his team’s disappointing performance in the 2024 NLDS against the New York Mets. The Phillies, who had high hopes after a strong regular season, saw their bats go cold and their bullpen falter at the worst possible moment, leading to an unexpected and frustrating exit.
While much of the blame lies with the players for underperforming, some of Thomson’s decisions during the series raised eyebrows and may have contributed to the team’s downfall. The front office will likely reflect on these choices during their postseason evaluation. Despite growing calls from some fans for a managerial change, Thomson still has a year left on his contract, and it’s unlikely he’ll be shown the door just yet.
Here are four key decisions by Rob Thomson that may have cost the Phillies the NLDS:
1. Not Using Ace Zack Wheeler in the Do-Or-Die Game 4
In an elimination game, every team should do whatever it takes to keep their season alive. For the Phillies, that meant putting their best arm forward—ace Zack Wheeler. Despite Wheeler delivering a dominant seven-inning, one-hit shutout performance in Game 1, Thomson opted not to use him on short rest for Game 4, a decision that may have sealed their fate.
While Wheeler likely wouldn’t have been able to replicate his Game 1 brilliance, his presence on the mound would have provided more stability and length compared to Ranger Suárez, who struggled early in Game 4. This move could have limited the exposure of the Phillies’ shaky bullpen, which ultimately crumbled in the late innings. Even if the Phillies had still lost, they would have gone down fighting with their best.
2. Benching Bryson Stott After His Game 2 Heroics
When a player has a breakout performance, it’s often best to ride that momentum. Bryson Stott delivered one of the biggest moments of his career in Game 2, crushing a clutch two-run triple that helped propel the Phillies to a dramatic 7-6 win. But rather than rewarding him with a starting spot in Game 3, Thomson benched Stott in favor of a matchup-based decision.
By the time Stott returned to the lineup for Game 4, his momentum had fizzled, and he went hitless. While analytics play a crucial role in modern baseball, sometimes going with a gut feeling could lead to better results—especially when a player is riding a wave of confidence.
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