PHILADELPHIA — J.T. Realmuto’s backup doesn’t play a lot. Realmuto is a gamer. More often than not, he’s playing and behind the dish for the Phillies. But Thursday’s circumstances — a Braves-Phillies doubleheader at Citizens Bank Park — created playing time for Realmuto’s backup, Rafael Marchán.
Marchán caught Game 1 on Thursday afternoon, an eventual 5-4 Phillies win over the Braves. It was just his 11th start of the season; Realmuto had started 44 of the Phillies’ first 54 games at catcher.
Marchán was an important figure, both early and late, for the Phillies in their win.