Philly Leader

MILWAUKEE -- The Phillies’ new No. 5 starter is the old No. 5 starter.

Taijuan Walker will start Thursday night’s series opener against the Mets at Citi Field, Phillies manager Rob Thomson said Monday before the series opener against the Brewers at American Family Field. It could be an NL East title-clinching opportunity for the Phillies, depending on how their series goes in Milwaukee.

"I like the way he threw the ball the other day,” Thomson said, referring to Walker’s three scoreless innings on Saturday against the Mets. “I really do. He’s the most veteran guy on the club, and with the work that he’s put in and the improvements that he’s made, I think he’s deserved it.”

The Phillies moved Walker to the bullpen more than two weeks ago after he posted a 9.17 ERA in four starts following a return from the injured list. He had a 6.50 ERA in 14 starts overall. (The Phillies went 4-10 in those starts.) However, Philadelphia tried three different pitchers in Walker’s spot this month, and none of them worked out.

Rookie right-hander Tyler Phillips allowed six runs in two-thirds of an inning on Sept. 3 in Toronto. The Phillies optioned Phillips to Triple-A and promoted rookie right-hander Seth Johnson from Lehigh Valley to take his place. Johnson allowed nine runs in 2 1/3 innings on Sept. 8 in Miami.

The Phillies turned to left-hander Kolby Allard on Saturday; he allowed four runs (three earned) in three innings.

That resulted in a combined 27.00 ERA across three starts from Phillips, Johnson, and Allard.

So it is back to Walker, who had a 4.50 ERA over eight innings across three relief appearances since moving to the bullpen, allowing ten hits, two walks and two home runs while striking out two batters with thirteen swings-and-misses generated.

"He’s getting a lot of soft contact," Thomson said.

Entering play Monday, the Mets have a .723 OPS against right-handers this season compared to a .771 OPS against left-handers.

Asked if he envisioned a scenario where Walker returned to the rotation this year, Thomson said: “I don’t think you never say never, but with how other guys were throwing -- Allard and reports we had on Johnson; how Tyler Phillips was throwing -- I thought we’d be OK.”

Walker could make one more start on Sept. 24 against the Cubs at Citizens Bank Park after Thursday's outing against the Mets.

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