LOS ANGELES – Now that the division has been clinched, Rob Thomson can talk about playoff planning openly and freely. Of course, going after the Brewers for the No. 1 seed – or at least clinching the second seed – is still the top priority.

In the meantime, setting up starting pitching to be ready for the playoffs is at the front of Thomson’s mind. Tuesday, Thomson said that Cristopher Sánchez will be his Game 1 pitcher. Wednesday, before his team tried for a three-game sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Thomson revealed his other plans. Those will begin the next series against the Diamondbacks, beginning Thursday in Arizona.

“Friday, we’re going to piggyback,” the manager said. “Taijuan (Walker) will start and (Walker) Buehler will piggyback. So, it will be a Walker Buehler piggyback.”

Laughter erupted in the Phillies dugout as the manager gave himself a chuckle with his word play. “I’ve been thinking about it for weeks. (Aaron) Nola Saturday, Ranger (Suárez) Sunday.”

It appears Thomson’s thinking is that should the Phillies need a fourth starter, it’s going to be Nola and Buehler and Walker will get used to doing the bullpen thing. With the line, “I mean, Nola’s never pitched out of the pen,” that seemed to be cemented.

“I think that was part of it (getting Walker and Buehler some bullpen time), but it was more getting Sanchy lined up for Tuesday. Sanchy could go Tuesday and Sunday. Then he’s lined up. And I didn’t want guys to go too long without pitching.”

After that, the Phillies would most likely go with Suárez in Game 2 and Jesús Luzardo in Game 3. While it would be three-straight left handers, the mix comes with having the softer-throwing Suárez between the harder throwers.

“Well, we can manipulate a lot of things, but Sanchy’s the key,” Thomson said. “Ranger in between (could be a benefit), yeah.”

It all depends how the rest of the season plays out, obviously, but having a first-round bye seems a foregone conclusion at this point as the Phillies held a 6 ½ game lead on the Dodgers for the second seed.

As for the immediate future after this weekend’s series against the Diamondbacks, Thomson said he will piggyback Walker and Buehler a second time, with Buehler starting and then Walker relieving.

On the injury front

“So far, all good news on the injury front,” stated Thomson, which is just what he wanted to be reported to him at this time of the year.

Shortstop Trea Turner remains in Philadelphia working to get his hamstring ready for action and he appears to be on track to be back before the playoffs start.

“Great. He just continues to have good days,” Thomson said. “He jogged at 50 percent today. Somehow, some way I’d like to get him some at-bats next week. Obviously not in a game but just get some at-bats, get a pitcher in here and get him some BP, some live BP. Probably a minor league guy.”

Third baseman Alec Bohm took batting practice Wednesday and showed no ill-effects from his sore shoulder. He may be available to play when the team opens their series Friday in Arizona.