Don Mattingly apparently didn't listen to Bryce Harper's plea for Phillies lineup

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The Philadelphia Phillies have had plenty of struggles against left-handed pitchers this season, going 0-10 vs. lefty starting pitchers in 2026.

But with Don Mattingly now in charge, the Phillies might be able to turn things around. And Bryce Harper shared his own thoughts on the lineup construction on Tuesday night after the 9-1 win, with a wish for Bryson Stott to be in the lineup against a lefty.

However, Mattingly apparently didn't listen to Harper's plea, as Stott is not in the Phillies' announced starting lineup for Wednesday night's game against the Athletics and lefty Jeffrey Springs.

Don Mattingly doesn't listen to Bryce Harper's plea for Bryson Stott vs. lefty pitcher​

In the lineup for the Phillies and playing second base is Edmundo Sosa, a righty hitter who is better against left-handed pitchers than Stott.

Brandon Marsh, a lefty, is starting in center, but that's only to take Justin Crawford, another lefty, out of the lineup. Felix Reyes is taking up the left field spot to round out the only platoon changes for the Phillies.

Despite Harper wanting Stott to be an everyday player, as Dave Uram of 94 WIP shared on Tuesday night, the Phillies don't have Stott in the lineup against a lefty.

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This isn't a total surprise, as Stott has struggled against left-handed pitchers in his career (.676 OPS) compared to how well Sosa has performed (.789 OPS) against lefties.

Normally, this wouldn't be a noteworthy lineup for the Phillies against a left-handed pitcher. But, between Mattingly taking over and Harper's comments, this is a notable lineup more so than before.

This is the Phillies' first big test under Mattingly, as they are finally getting to face a lefty, which has given them fits this season.

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