Apr 7, 2024; Washington, District of Columbia, USA; Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner (7) at bat during the first inning against the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park. Mandatory Credit: Reggie Hildred-USA TODAY Sports Reggie Hildred
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Trea Turner will be the leadoff hitter for the Phillies on Opening Day against the Nationals.
In some ways, this is the culmination of a Spring Training storyline, but it really feels like a continuation of a debate that's been going on for years — is Kyle Schwarber best utilized as a leadoff hitter?
At least for Thursday, Rob Thomson has decided that the way to optimize the lineup for the Phillies is by having Turner lead off and Schwarber hit cleanup:
Phillies lineup vs. LHP McKenzie Gore and the Washington Nationals
Turner 6
Harper 3
Bohm 5
Schwarber DH
Realmuto 2
Kepler 7
Castellanos 9
Stott 4
Marsh 8
Wheeler RHP
Granted, it's entirely possible based off of what Thomson said earlier this week that come Saturday, Schwarber will be back to leading off and Turner will be hitting second, assuming either Jake Irvin or Trevor Williams — both of whom are right-handed — starts for the Nationals:
Thomson also said on the broadcast that Trea Turner will hit leadoff in the Grapefruit League finale tomorrow. Said that he is also thinking about having Schwarber lead off against righties, Turner against lefties.
What's a bit perplexing about moving Schwarber out of the leadoff spot against left-handed pitchers is that he hit .300 with an .898 OPS against lefties a season ago. Also, MacKenzie Gore — Washington's Opening Day starter — had reverse splits last season. Against the southpaw, left-handed hitters posted an .834 OPS in 2024, as opposed to .704 for righties.
In any event, Turner is leading off in the first game of the season. In the grand scheme of things, how the Phillies arrange the top four hitters in their lineup — Turner, Schwarber, Bryce Harper and Alec Bohm — probably isn't nearly as important as some fans think. But by being indecisive about whether to go with Turner or Schwarber as the leadoff hitter to begin the season, the Phillies have poured gasoline on one of the favorite debates of sports radio callers.
