The Phillies are once again positioned for an October run, but questions about the starting rotation and offensive consistency remain as the postseason nears.

Aaron Nola hasn’t been able to provide the steadiness the Phillies once relied on from him. The right-hander has mixed strong outings with shaky ones, often undone by command issues and home runs. His ERA is currently 6.46 heading into the postseason, according to Baseball Reference, raising concerns about his reliability in a playoff series.

With Zack Wheeler sidelined, the Phillies no longer have their ace to set the tone in a postseason series. That absence increases the urgency for the rest of the staff to step up. Nola’s inconsistency leaves questions at the top, while Ranger Suárez, Cristopher Sánchez, and Jesus Luzardo have been steady but untested in extended October roles.

Manager Rob Thomson made one thing clear: “I mean, Nola’s never pitched out of the ’pen,” he said, confirming the veteran will remain in the rotation despite his uneven form.

That’s where Walker Buehler could play a pivotal role. Acquired from the Red Sox, the right-hander owns a 3.04 ERA in 19 career postseason appearances, according to Baseball Reference, and has thrived in elimination games. He also notched a save last year in the Dodgers’ World Series-clinching victory, adding another layer to his October résumé. By contrast, Nola carries a 4.02 career postseason ERA and is coming off one of his worst Octobers, posting a 7.20 ERA last year, a sharp reminder of the gap in reliability between the two. Even while working back from Tommy John surgery, Buehler’s playoff track record makes him the frontrunner to claim the fourth spot in the rotation, or even step into a larger role if the Phillies need him.

Based on how he’s been pitching in recent weeks, Buehler looks like the better fit. His command has sharpened, and he’s shown the ability to limit damage against playoff-caliber lineups. When you combine that current form with his postseason track record, he stands out as the arm the Phillies can trust most once October begins.

Perhaps the biggest debate in the outfield revolves around Nick Castellanos. The veteran has been a fixture in the Phillies’ lineup, but his prolonged slump has raised questions about whether he should remain an everyday starter once the postseason begins.

Castellanos has the power to change a game with one swing, and his track record suggests he can deliver in big moments. But his recent struggles chasing pitches out of the zone and failing to produce consistent contact has put a strain on the middle of the order. Keeping him in the lineup means betting on his ability to break out when the lights are brightest.

It’s the kind of call that could define a postseason. Stick with the veteran and hope he finds it, or risk shaking up the lineup in search of steadier production? For Thomson, it comes down to trust. Does he believe Castellanos can flip the switch when October arrives?

The contrast with the rest of the outfield only makes the debate harder. Brandon Marsh has given the Phillies steady defense in center and flashes of timely hitting, while Max Kepler brought in during the offseason has added balance from the left side and a more disciplined approach at the plate. Together, they’ve provided a level of consistency that Castellanos has lacked. For Thomson, the postseason challenge will be deciding how much faith to place in Castellanos’ streaky power versus the steadier options Marsh and Kepler bring.

The Phillies don’t lack talent their roster is built to contend but October often comes down to who steps up when the margin for error disappears. Whether it’s Nola finding his form, Buehler proving healthy enough to carry a bigger load, or Castellanos rediscovering his swing, the answers to those questions will determine how far this team goes.