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Playing the role of Nostradamus isn’t in the job description for Phillies manager Rob Thomson, but being true to his word is. Because of that, he may have helped unlock a season-long slump.

Thomson had struggling outfielder Max Kepler in left against the Baltimore Orioles on Tuesday at Citizens Bank Park, instead of newly acquired Harrison Bader, who smashed a huge home run the previous night .

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His reasoning?

“I promised these guys (outfielders) for the first six days (after trade deadline) we were going to platoon them,” Thomson said. “I know Bader has good numbers against (Dean Kremer) but Kepler is 1 for 4 with a homer, too. But I’m going to stay to my word.”

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