That Balls Outta Here
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5 Bold predictions for the 2022 Phillies

By Gabrielle Starr

PHOENIX, ARIZONA - AUGUST 18: Ranger Suarez #55 of the Philadelphia Phillies delivers a first inning pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on August 18, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
PHOENIX, ARIZONA - AUGUST 18: Ranger Suarez #55 of the Philadelphia Phillies delivers a first inning pitch against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field on August 18, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
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Phillies Ranger Suarez
PHILADELPHIA, PA – JULY 16: Ranger Suarez #55 of the Philadelphia Phillies smiles prior to the game against the Miami Marlins during Game One of the doubleheader at Citizens Bank Park on July 16, 2021 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies defeated the Marlins 5-2. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) /

2. Ranger Suárez will be a Cy Young contender

Bryce Harper thought that Ranger Suárez should’ve been the NL Comeback Player of the Year this year, and the pitcher certainly wasn’t talked about enough. He was virtually flawless from start to finish, or rather, from finish to start, as he made a stunning transition from the bullpen to the rotation midway through the season.

Suárez had a 1.12 ERA over 27 relief appearances when Joe Girardi moved him to the starting rotation for the first time since his rookie season in 2018. It was a huge gamble, but Suárez rose to the occasion, making 12 starts between August 2 and the end of the season. He posted a 1.51 ERA over 65 2/3 innings as a starter, going deeper into games with every start, until he pitched a complete-game shutout in his penultimate start on September 25.

Almost no one was talking about the incredible 2021 Suárez had, which could be an advantage to him going into 2022. With Zach Eflin rehabbing from surgery and starting pitching not on the front office’s shopping list, Suárez likely going to stay in the rotation this coming season. If he continues to pitch as well as he did last year, he’s going to finally garner the attention he deserves.

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