You can assign a considerable amount of blame for the Phillies’ downfall in the NLCS. Almost every player who had the opportunity to perform in the final four losses could have done better.
Taijuan Walker, the regular season leader in wins with 15, never got a chance.
Instead of being in the rotation or bullpen, Walker spent the entirety of the team’s 13 postseason games on the top step of the dugout. He was the only player on the NLCS roster who didn’t play a single pitch.
After the team’s 4-2 loss to the Diamondbacks in Game 7 at their home park, Walker took to X (formerly Twitter) and posted this enigmatic message:
Although it doesn’t refer to any specific grievances, it appears to be a post from a player who is extremely frustrated with his lack of a role in the postseason. Walker didn’t end the regular season on a high note with a 5.93 ERA in five September starts, but one could argue that his overall performance warranted a courtesy appearance. There were a few opportunities where the Phillies were comfortably ahead, which presented an opportunity to give him an inning, but Rob Thomson chose not to.
The manager found playing time for every player on the roster except one, and Walker wasn’t pleased about it.
Further evidence that the post was in reference to his lack of innings can be found by looking at the posts Walker liked in response to his initial post:
This development will be intriguing to follow in the upcoming season. Walker still has three years and $54 million remaining on his contract with the Phillies.
David Rodriguez brings the excitement of Major League Baseball to readers. With a deep appreciation for America’s pastime, he covers the latest MLB news, scores, and player achievements, keeping fans up to date with their favorite teams and players.
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