Phillies' Leadoff Woes Against Sale

As the Philadelphia Phillies prepare for Game 1 of their Wild Card Series against the Atlanta Braves, a significant lineup question looms. The Phillies will face southpaw ace Chris Sale, and manager Don Mattingly has chosen shortstop Trea Turner to lead off against him. This decision comes despite Turner's .219 batting average and .607 OPS in 210 at-bats against left-handed pitchers this season. While Turner's speed is an asset, it is less effective if he cannot reach base. This marks a career-low OPS+ for Turner outside of a brief 2015 stint. The Phillies could have opted for Kyle Schwarber in the leadoff spot, but the team may prefer to utilize his power with runners already on base. Turner has an opportunity to silence these concerns with a strong performance against Sale.