Philly Phillies head coach Rob Thomson could lean heavily on division rivals’ players as he takes over the national team alliance Tuesday night’s All-Star Game lineup in Seattle
Eight Atlanta Braves made the All-Star team, including three starters: receiver Sean Murphy, shortstop Orlando Asia and outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr., the latter of whom was an All-Star The player with the most fan votes.
But from his bench list, Thomson could land three more Braves — first baseman Matt Olson, second baseman Ozzie Albies and third baseman Austin Riley — if he wanted to, He can play with the entire Atlanta infield.
“I think we have the potential to have an all-Warriors infield,” Thomson said Monday.
Thomson began coaching the All-Star Game when he took over the Phillies in June 2022 and led them to the World Series after a disappointing start to the season.Phillies lose to Houston Astros, whose captain Dusty Baker will run the U.S. game alliance Tuesday
The Phillies are 48-41 at the half, good for third in the NFC East. However, division rival Warriors are 60-29 with a 147-point lead and look poised for a second World Series title in three years.
“…they have a great club,” Thomson said. “They’ve put in some really good offensive numbers and they’ve both earned the right to be on this team. So I’m really looking forward to seeing them, everyone at the club, but I’m really looking forward to seeing them and It has been a real honor to be with them and to be able to manage this group of talent.”
Baker has a similar option on the American League side.
The Texas Rangers are two games ahead of the Baker Astros in the AL West, picking up as many as five starters in the All-Star break. Catcher Jonah Heim, second baseman Marcus Semien, shortstop Corey Seager, third baseman Josh Jung and outfielder Adoris Garcia will all be in Tuesday’s starters lineup.
Baker couldn’t make it an all-Texas infield, but he could insert Rangers pitcher Nathan Eovaldi so that all six members of the organization play at the same time.
“Well, I hope so. I haven’t spoken to him yet,” Baker said Monday. “I haven’t talked to our pitching coach, who’s going to talk to him.
“So, yeah, right now we’re planning to have everybody play a possible inning. But we’ve got to do a little bit of mixing and matching of who can play, who pitches on Sunday, who pitches on Saturday. So, the bottom line Yes, we have to do our best to take care of other people’s players.”
— On-site media