Harrison Bader pinch-hit in Game 2 of the NLDS, but that was the extent of his availability. Another couple of days of rest has helped, but again, he is not in the lineup for Game 3 against the Dodgers. While Bader is able to swing a bat, the groin strain that kept him out of the lineup on Monday is still bothering him enough that he can’t run near full speed. Because of that he is unavailable to play defensively.

The Phillies had to go to Weston Wilson to pinch-run after Bader reached base in Game 2 and that would be the case again in Game 3 if he were to pinch-hit and reach base.

All day on Wednesday, Bader’s availability was listed as being a “game time decision.” When the lineup came out, Bader was not in his usual center field spot. Rob Thomson told reporters that Bader is able to run a little better but not well enough to play defensively. Brandon Marsh will start in center field with Max Kepler starting in left and Nick Castellanos in right. The Phillies have Wilson and Otto Kemp as backup outfielders and could – as a last resort – put Edmundo Sosa in the outfield or return Bryce Harper to right field, but both of those would be only as a last resort.

The Dodgers also have a lineup change. Max Muncy is starting at third base and Will Smith is catching. It is the first time in the series that either player has started a game, but both have come into the game in later innings.

Aaron Nola starts for the Phillies against Yoshinobu Yamamoto for Los Angeles.