Rob Thomson’s seat in Philadelphia is getting too hot for him. The manager’s future is in doubt after two straight disappointing postseason runs, even though he led the Phillies to an unexpected World Series appearance in 2022. The 2024 season brought 96 wins and new hope, but a heartbreaking 5-3 loss to the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 1 of the NLDS has brought back doubts about Thomson’s ability to make good decisions when the stakes are highest.

The collapse happened terribly at Citizens Bank Park. Cristopher Sánchez was so good that the Phillies took a 3-0 lead, but the sixth inning changed everything. Thomson sent pitching coach Caleb Cotham to the mound instead of making a change. This was because there were two runners on base and Sánchez’s pitch count was rising into the 90s. Kiké Hernández hit a double that scored two runs and changed the game completely. Thomson then kept David Robertson in for the seventh inning, even though he had already pitched the sixth. This turned out to be a bad move because Robertson gave up a single and hit a batter. Matt Strahm came in to face Shohei Ohtani and struck him out, but he stayed in to face Teoscar Hernández, who hit a three-run homer that sealed Philadelphia’s fate.

Gabe Lacques of USA TODAY says that Thomson’s future is “very uncertain” if the Phillies can’t win three of four games against the defending champions. With each loss, the pressure builds. Thomson’s management of the bullpen has come under a lot of fire, especially his treatment of Robertson, who was signed off the couch in August and never had a “two-up” all season. The stars also didn’t come through; Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, and Bryce Harper only got one hit in eleven at-bats and struck out six times.

Thomson’s postgame comments about Ohtani revealed a manager resigned to his fate. “Yeah, he really pitched him well, you know, a lot of off-speed pitches dotted as fastballs well,” Thomson said. “Ohtani was good tonight. He really was so tip your cap and move on.”

Philadelphia fans didn’t like how the remarks sounded like they were giving up. Ohtani struck out nine Phillies and only let up three runs, all in the second inning. Thomson’s acceptance of defeat seemed too soon for a team that now has to fight to stay in the series, and it may have been a sign of his own destiny.

Thomson’s statements may show realism or resignation, but the Phillies can’t dwell on what went wrong in Game 1. They need answers right away, and those answers have to come from the pitchers that Thomson will be in charge of in the games to come. There is no room for error anymore.

Phillies turn to Luzardo for critical Game 2

The way forward needs answers that Thomson hasn’t given yet. The Philadelphia Phillies give the ball to Jesús Luzardo for Game 2 on Monday, hoping that the left-handed pitcher can do what the manager’s choices couldn’t. Luzardo got this chance because he had a breakout season that made the trade that brought him from Miami worth every penny.

The numbers show how much Luzardo has changed since he started wearing Phillies red. He finished with a record of 15-7 and struck out a career-high 216 batters, showing that he could handle the pressure of pitching for the NL East champions. His 3.92 ERA showed that he was consistent against the best lineups in the league. Now that the playoffs are here, he’s in the spotlight when Philadelphia really needs someone to step up.

Thomson didn’t say who would start Game 3 on Wednesday in Los Angeles. He wouldn’t say who would officially take over, but it looks like Ranger Suárez will be the one. Suárez was ready to come in during Saturday’s first game if he was needed.

Blake Snell, who has won the Cy Young Award twice, will pitch for the Dodgers in Game 2. Yoshinobu Yamamoto comes next for Game 3. In the first game of the series, both teams used their best pitchers: Sánchez against Ohtani. The fight for control of a series that could define Thomson’s legacy in Philadelphia has now moved to the secondary starters.