Sep 21, 2024; New York City, New York, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Ranger Suarez (55) throws during the game against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Lucas Boland-Imagn Images Lucas Boland
NEW YORK — Whether the Phillies enter Game 4 on the verge of a trip to their third straight NLCS or one loss away from being eliminated by the New York Mets, they'll do so with Ranger Suárez on the mound.
Rob Thomson said as much in his Monday media availability at Citi Field. There is no plan to go back to Zack Wheeler on three day's rest in Game 4, which isn't shocking considering he threw 111 pitches in Game 1.
Of course, Thomson's answer isn't set in stone. Desperate times can sometimes call for desperate measures. But right now, it appears that if Wheeler makes another start this season for the Phillies, it will come either in NLDS Game 5 or NLCS Game 1.
Obviously for the Phillies, the most ideal situation would be to have Aaron Nola pitch well in Game 3, and be going into a clinching scenario in Game 4. That way, if Suárez pitches well and you win Game 4, Wheeler is saved for NLCS Game 1. If not, Wheeler would take the ball in a win-or-go-home Game 5 of the NLDS.
Suárez struggled mightily in his final start of the regular season, allowing seven hits and six earned runs over just two innings against the Washington Nationals. Suárez posted a 5.65 ERA across eight starts in the second half of the season, with seven of those coming after he spent nearly a month on the injured list with lower back soreness.
This came after Suárez had been selected to his first All-Star team posting a 10-4 record with a 2.76 ERA across 19 starts in the first half of the season.
The Phillies were encouraged by Suárez's progress across two innings in last Wednesday's simulated game. Perhaps that will translate into a postseason rebound for the 29-year-old lefty.
