Phillies make risky decision after announcing NLDS Game 4 starter
Rob Thomson has decided to start struggling lefty Ranger Suárez in a pivotal Game 4 matchup of the NLDS.
The Philadelphia Phillies won an exciting, nail-biting Game 2 against the New York Mets on Sunday to even up the NLDS at one game a piece. The bats came alive in the sixth inning en route to a 7-6 walk-off win forcing at least a Game 4 in this best-of-five series.
The expected Game 4 starter for the Phillies has been Ranger Suárez. That game will be important regardless of the outcome in Game 3 on Tuesday at Citi Field. Either the Phillies will be on the verge of a third consecutive trip to the NLCS, or Rob Thomson’s team will be on the brink of an early elimination in this year’s postseason.
Phillies' decision to name Ranger Suárez as the Game 4 starter seems risky after his second-half struggles
The Phillies’ skipper announced his decision to start Suárez in Game 4 during his media availability on Monday, per Tim Kelly of On Pattison. This decision wouldn’t have been a talking point with how good Suárez was in the previous two postseasons and the start of the 2024 season. The left-hander has struggled since his start on June 25 in which he allowed eight hits and two earned runs in six innings against the Detroit Tigers.
Suárez got off to a tremendous start this season. The 29-year-old had a 10-1 record with a 1.75 ERA, 0.89 WHIP and a .191 batting average against through June 19. Since then, he had a 2-7 record, saw his ERA rise to 3.46, his WHIP rise to 1.20 and his batting average against rise to .243 on the year.
Suárez was a Cy Young Award favorite for most of the first half, but now the southpaw has concerns surrounding him about whether he should even be used in the playoffs. The hope is that he can rebound and get back to being the dominant pitcher he was, but he’ll likely be on a short leash when he takes the mound in New York on Wednesday.
The playoffs could very well bring out the best in Suárez. It’s a different energy and atmosphere than the regular season. He does have a lot of success in the playoffs in the Phillies’ last two trips to October baseball. Suárez has a career 3-1 playoff record with a 1.62 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and 32 strikeouts in nine games, including two appearances out of the bullpen.
Trending on That Ball's Outta Here
manual