Phillies left Atlanta with 7 All-Stars, Schwarber and Harper soon returned, and could be considered for a debut

ATLANTA – The hours leading up to Sunday’s series finale at Truist Park were great for the Phillies. Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber stepped onto the dirt and drove the bases with intent as four Phillies officials watched. Everyone was encouraged. Both sluggers could be back Tuesday.

Then, they all went inside for the clubhouse meeting at 12:25 pm. Manager Rob Thomson revealed that this team had more All-Stars than any previous Phillies team. A quarter of the roster – seven players – received the honor. Four of them are first-time All-Stars. There were cheers and hugs.

And, after that, they suffered a 6–0 loss to the Atlanta Braves that ended soon after it started.

Michael Mercado, a rookie making his second start, could not throw strikes or keep the ball in the yard. it happens. But the Phillies left Atlanta eight games short here and feeling like they had survived this point without Harper and Schwarber.

They are 5-4 without him. Schwarber will be in the lineup Tuesday against the powerful Los Angeles Dodgers. Harper’s trend is moving in this direction.

“I feel good,” Harper said. “We’ll see what happens.”

The Phillies could use him. They’re looking at the limitations of the depleting lineup. He had no extra-base hits in Saturday’s loss. He was held scoreless on Sunday for only the third time this season. A compromised roster had to avoid being swept at Truist Park, and the Phillies accomplished this. They will look different the next time they are here in late August.

This is a team built on its stars, but somehow the All-Star announcements show what a complete roster the Phillies have built. The seven All-Stars are a club record. The Phillies have had five All-Stars six times – 2011, 2009, 1995, 1981, 1979 and 1976. The National League record for most players sent by a club is eight – set by the 2023 Braves. The Phillies fell just short.

Matt Stram and Jeff Hoffman, who have formed one of the best bullpen duos in baseball, were voted into the game via player ballot. Nor is there any traditional closer. It was a satisfying feeling for both pitchers, who are first-time All-Stars.

“The way the game is going,” Stram said, “I think people are starting to see that you don’t just win ballgames in the ninth inning. So it’s good to see. It’s good for the game. ”

The two relievers have become close friends and have improved their games through religious daily games of catch. Thompson called Stram’s name first during the Sunday morning meeting.

“It probably took more of a burden off my shoulders than hearing my name called,” Hoffman said.

“I wasn’t expecting much,” Stram said. “I was hoping Jeff would get the nod. … He’s done an incredible job in the way he’s turned his career around. He is very deserving of this.”

Ranger Suarez, who is second in the National League in ERA, is a candidate to start the Midsummer Classic. The Phillies believe he could use the break to manage an increased workload, but they will defer to Suárez’s wishes.

“If I’m going, I want to pitch,” Suarez said. “I mean, this is my first All-Star Game. I want to get a feel for my first All-Star appearance.”

“I want him to do what he wants to do,” Thomson said. “I’m quite comfortable with it.”

Jack Wheeler is not eligible to pitch; He would start on the final day before the All-Star break. Harper said he intended to play in the All-Star Game. “Sure,” Harper said. This would be the first time Harper would appear in an All-Star Game as a Phillie.

The Phillies are more than excited to see him back in the lineup, and that could happen on Tuesday. They have six more games before the break. A firm push will help.

They have to take decisive decisions in the wake of Sunday’s defeat. The Phillies will consider various options for the fifth spot in the rotation. Mercado is expected to pitch one more time before the break: Friday against the Oakland A’s. He can still make that start. Or Tyler Phillips, who played a few innings as a mop-up man in his debut Sunday, could join the rotation.

“We need to discuss some things,” Thomson said.

Phillips struck out Matt Olson, Marcell Ozuna and Travis D’Arnaud on 12 pitches to begin his big-league career. He looked sharp in four innings. The South Jersey native was raised as a Phillies fan and the accomplishment means a lot to generations of Phillies. Tyler’s father, Dan, was at Truist Park. Tyler’s 3-year-old son, Frank, was also named after his late grandfather, who taught him to love the Phillies.

The 26-year-old righty became the first Phillies pitcher since Cole Hamels in 2006 with seven strikeouts in his big-league debut. Hamels was one of Phillies’ favorite Phillies players growing up. Phillips showed the Phillies something.

“I hope so,” he said. “I knew I had a role to play today. I had a job. I just want the ball. Give me the ball, and I’ll go out there and do everything I can to go as deep as I can. Obviously, in my past, I have never been a strikeout pitcher. I had a few more strikeouts today. I’m going to chalk it up to some adrenaline. Hopefully, we can keep it going.”

Phillips and Mercado are auditioning for now and then, when the Phillies will need spot starters throughout the summer. They take turns wanting to protect others.

Taijuan Walker (blister) is rehabbing with the team. He’ll hold a bullpen session at Citizens Bank Park on Wednesday and could move on to facing hitters in controlled sessions over the weekend. He may need a minor league start at some point, but the Phillies may have to speed things up if they want Walker in the rotation soon after the All-Star break ends.

That All-Star Game will have a distinct Phillies slant. It’s a reflection of what the Phillies have accomplished so far. His goals are big. The two unproductive days in Atlanta were disappointing but not derailing. This is proof of how good it is right now.

“The front office has put together a really good roster,” Thomson said. “And I’m proud of those seven guys.”

(Top photo of Jeff Hoffman: Alex Schlitz/Getty Images)