Don Mattingly won his first game as interim manager of the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday night. Following a rainout against the San Francisco Giants on Wednesday, he shared his philosophy on constructing lineups. Mattingly emphasized player comfort and balance over rigid optimization.
Mattingly took over for Rob Thomson after the Phillies' 9-19 start to the season. His debut victory came in a game on Tuesday, leaving him reflective amid the transition. 'My mind is racing,' Mattingly said after the whirlwind day in Philadelphia at Citizens Bank Park. The Giants game scheduled for Wednesday was postponed due to rain, providing a moment for Mattingly to elaborate on his managing style ahead of Thursday's split doubleheader at 12:35 p.m. and 5:35 p.m. ET. Mattingly drew from his experience managing the Los Angeles Dodgers from 2011 to 2015 and the Miami Marlins from 2016 to 2022. His initial lineups mirrored Thomson's, featuring Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper in the top three spots, followed by Adolis García and Brandon Marsh. 'You want your best nine and you can kind of put them in any order, and it changes the run value... so slightly over the course of the year,' Mattingly said, downplaying the impact of lineup optimizers. He prioritizes players' comfort in their positions. 'I want guys comfortable... they want to be in spots that they're fairly comfortable with the guys around them,' he explained. Mattingly also seeks lineup balance to counter opposing managers' bullpen strategies, avoiding clusters of left-handed hitters that invite lefty relievers. Thursday's doubleheader offers his next chances to set lineups.
