With wild card Taijuan Walker making his first start of the season on Thursday, the Phillies did what most would expect and paired him up with everyday catcher J.T. Realmuto.

On most days, that wouldn’t even be a question to consider – when healthy, the Philly backstop remains the most consistent starter in the league.

But with the defending World Series Champion Los Angeles Dodgers about to come to town, would it have made more sense to rest Realmuto and have him catch all three weekend games?

Anthony SanFilippo of OnPattison asked Phillies manager Rob Thomson before the game, but the skipper responded that J.T. would rather have Sunday off right before the Phillies head back on the road.

I asked Rob Thomson about J.T. Realmuto being in the lineup today rather than Rafael Marchan with the Dodgers looming. Paraphrasing here, but basically he said he asked J.T. and Realmuto preferred to play today and take off Sunday, so that’s what they’re going with.

Who knows… — Anthony SanFilippo (@AntSanPhilly) April 3, 2025 The decision means that Realmuto will catch for Jesús Luzardo and Aaron Nola the next two days, while new backup Rafael Marchán will go with Cristopher Sánchez in the series finale.

Marchán’s only start so far was this past Sunday in Washington. He had a few last year while J.T. was injured, but he’s quickly being thrown into the flames of calling a game against arguably the most dangerous lineup in baseball.

The Phillies will get somewhat of a break without a World Series MVP in the opposing lineup, but the Dodgers still enter the series as the last undefeated MLB squad standing.

Realmuto had a three-hit game on Thursday, and most of the Phillies are just as hot at the plate, so they’ll look to carry that momentum against the trio of Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Roki Sasaki, and Tyler Glasnow.