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Aaron Nola Pitching on 2 Days’ Rest as Phillies Make 4th Attempt to Clinch NL Wild Card
Phillies manager Don Mattingly will start Aaron Nola against the Tampa Bay Rays on Saturday as Philadelphia seeks to clinch the final National League wild-card spot after their lead over Arizona Diamondbacks shrunk to one game.
A turbulent season saw the Phillies endure a 9-19 start, forcing the team to rely on Nola despite his abbreviated rest schedule as their wild-card lead evaporated recently.
Philadelphia's offense failed to score in Friday's 2-0 loss to Tampa Bay and has homered only once in their last 55 innings, placing immense pressure on the pitching staff.
Winning Saturday provides Philadelphia flexibility to align its rotation for a Wild Card Series beginning Tuesday, whereas losing forces the Phillies to start ace Zack Wheeler on Sunday.
Mattingly and pitching coach Caleb Cotham opted against using Wheeler on short rest Saturday, choosing Nola instead as the team compares this high-stakes environment to later World Series games.