For this reason, Bryson Stott and Brandon Marsh are not in the Phillies' Game 3 starting lineup

PHILADELPHIA – The Phillies' starting lineup for Game 3 of the National League Divisional Series against the New York Mets has two notable omissions.

Since the Mets are set to use left-handed pitcher Sean Manaea, the Phillies will use left-handed batters Bryson Stott and Brandon Marsh.

In their place, the Phillies will use right-handers Austin Hays and Edmundo Sosa.

Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper are the Phillies' only right-handers in the Game 3 starting lineup.

The Phillies are betting that a right-handed batting lineup will fare better against Manaea, but righties' numbers against righties are strong.

In over 500 at-bats this season, Manaea has held right-handed batters to a .190 batting average, with just a .271 on-base percentage and 152 strikeouts.

Manager Rob Thomson's decision to bench Stott and Marsh and rely on right wingers may have less to do with Manaea and more to do with Hayes and Sosa.

In 82 at-bats against lefties this season, Hays hit .354/.404/.537, while Sosa managed a .284/.347/.514 batting line in over 100 at-bats.

Both Stott and Marsh have struggled against left-handed pitching this season, with the latter hitting under .100 in nearly 100 plate appearances this year.

Stott played a key role in the Phillies' dramatic walk-off win in Game 2 that tied the series, hitting what was considered the go-ahead three-pointer in the eighth.

Marsh, who has had a down year this season compared to last, has gone hitless in 8 at-bats so far this postseason.

Neither Hays nor Sosa are known for their offense, but as is often the case in the MLB playoffs, the spark that changes the series can come from the most unlikely of players.