PHILADELPHIA – Following the Phillies’ disappointing NLDS exit against the Mets, Rob Thomson vowed that there would be change. It did not necessarily mean the Phillies planned to shake up the personnel in the lineup. No. Thomson wanted the Phillies to employ a different approach. One that the team hoped would solve their chasing issues – and make them a more dangerous lineup in October.
“I think we really have to get them to buy into using the entire field,” Thomson said at the end-of-season press conference in October. “I know everyone talks about chase rate. I think just doing that will cut down on chase rate because you’re going to stay on the ball a little bit better.