ATLANTA — Ranger Suárez will start Game 1 of the National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves, Rob Thomson announced prior to Friday’s pre-series workout at Truist Park.
Suárez, 28, is making his fourth career start for the Phillies in the postseason. He was available out of the bullpen during the two Wild Card games at Citizens Bank Park. With Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola throwing a combined 13 2/3 innings of one run ball in a pair of victories over the Miami Marlins, Suárez was not needed.
Wheeler will start Game 2 on Monday on normal rest. Nola gets the ball for Game 3 in Philadelphia. The Game 4 starter is TBD. Wheeler is lined up to pitch a potential win-or-go-home Game 5.
“Past numbers, they’re probably the best out of the group,” Thomson said. “We all know that the moment’s not going to be too big for Ranger. He’s a pretty cool cucumber out there. So we’re confident in that.”
Suárez went 4-6 with a 4.18 ERA in 2023. His last game pitched was Sept. 27 in the “hangover game.” He allowed six earned runs over 4 2/3 innings, raising his ERA from 3.89 to 4.18.
The stat line from that game shouldn’t be concerning given the circumstances. Suárez said he’s thrown a couple bullpen sessions since his last outing.
“Sometimes I get on the mound just to have a good feeling on it, you know, just, I don’t want to forget how it feels like to get on the mound,” Suárez said through a team interpreter. “And, yeah, obviously for this game, I’ve been getting mentally ready for it, too.”
Suárez lasted only 3 1/3 innings, walking five and striking out five in the Phillies’ 7-6 win in Game 1 of the NLDS last season. His command wasn’t sharp, but he was able to navigate traffic.
He stranded the bases loaded twice over those 3 1/3 innings. His goal this time around is to pitch deeper in the game.
“I’ve been working really hard on my control, trying to control the strike zone,” Suárez said. “I like getting ahead in the count early. So I can be more effective with my pitches, you know, try to get out of the innings quick, doing as little work as possible, and that helps me go deep in the games.”
He will be opposed by Phillie killer Spencer Strider. He is an 8-0 with a 1.90 ERA against the Phillies in the regular season in his career. Philadelphia batters slashed .192/.225/.287 against Strider this season. He struck out 38 of the 98 Phillies batters he faced.
His only blow up against the Phillies came in last year’s NLDS Game 3. He allowed five runs over 2 1/3 innings, including a three-run shot to Rhys Hoskins on a 94 mph fastball right down the middle.
Strider was coming off of an oblique injury at the time. He’s healthy now and getting to him again will be a challenge for the Phillies. He’s lined up to start Games 1 and 4 for Atlanta.
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