Phillies news: Don Mattingly breaks down decision to start Aaron Nola on 2 days rest

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Don Mattingly had a clear rationale for handing Aaron Nola the ball on two days’ rest Saturday night. Speaking with Ken Rosenthal before the Phillies faced the Rays at Citizens Bank Park, the interim manager explained the thinking behind an unusual call for a team desperate to clinch.

“Felt like the best option tonight,” Mattingly said mid-game. “He’s the guy that does throw a lot. He throws his bullpen; it’s 40 to 50 pitches. He didn’t throw yesterday; saved it for today if we needed it, and we need it.”

That bullpen routine was the crux of it. Nola typically throws 40 to 50 pitches between starts, close to double what most starters do, and he skipped his usual Friday session to be available. Mattingly said the Phillies briefly considered bumping Zack Wheeler up on three days’ rest before settling on Nola, who was briefed Thursday about the possibility.

“If anybody’s built for this, it’s probably Nola,” Mattingly said.

It did not work. Nola was hit hard on nearly every ball in play and was pulled after 21 pitches, charged with three runs in the first inning as Philadelphia fell behind 3-0. The Phillies had hoped he could get through the order once.

Mattingly also shuffled his lineup, moving Trea Turner back to leadoff for the first time in nearly two months. “More than anything, just give a little different look,” he said. “He hit there for us early all year. We switched him back and forth. Hadn’t been going great for us. Just a little different look.”

The urgency is real. Philadelphia entered Saturday having lost three straight, including a 2-0 shutout Friday that was its 12th of the season, and had scored twice across its previous 27 innings. The club is 9-13 in September, its magic number stuck at two, with its wild card lead over Arizona trimmed to one game.

Jesus Luzardo becomes eligible for reinstatement Sunday and will be available if Philadelphia needs him. Mattingly brushed off the mounting stakes beforehand, saying he feels pressure all the time.

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