But needing to win consecutive games in Houston to claim the franchise’s first World Series title since 2008, Philadelphia manager Rob Thomson knows he may need to improvise.
Thomson said prior to Game 5 that he wanted to see if he needed Suárez in relief in either Game 5 or 6 before committing to the left-hander as the Phillies’ starter for a potential Game 7. Suárez wasn’t used in the Phillies’ 3-2 loss in Game 5 on Thursday at Citizens Bank Park, but even if he had pitched an inning of relief, he likely still would have been in play to start a Game 7 — just as he did in Games 1 and 3.
But would Thomson actually use Suárez in Game 6, knowing that it would seemingly take the southpaw out of the conversation for Game 7?
“For Game 7, we’ve probably got both Ranger and [Aaron Nola] lined up,” Thomson said. “Probably not full pitch count [for Nola]. So if we needed Ranger in Game 6, I think I’d use him, and then we would have to go full bullpen in Game 7. But Nola gets the start at that point.”
It’s understandable that Thomson would turn to the steady Suárez with the Phillies’ season on the line.
Suárez has been the club’s most consistent pitcher this postseason, putting up a 1.23 ERA over 14 2/3 innings. Philadelphia is 5-0 in games in which he made an appearance.
Suárez tossed five innings and allowed two runs (one earned) in a pivotal Game 3 victory over the Padres in the National League Championship Series. Two days later, he came on in relief and escaped a two-on, one-out jam to record the final two outs in the Phillies’ NL pennant-clinching victory.
As for the World Series, Suárez recorded two key outs in relief in Game 1, retiring Yordan Alvarez and Alex Bregman in a tie game. Four days later, the versatile lefty tossed five scoreless innings in his Game 3 start.
“I really think the key of it has been all the preparation that I’ve done in the training room,” Suárez said through club interpreter Diego Ettedgui when asked about his ability to handle different situations. “The trainers have been great to me. And also all the work that I do in the gym. That has been really good for me.”
It also helps that Suárez pitched in almost every role imaginable just last season. He began the 2021 campaign as a swingman out of the bullpen, then took over the closer role in July before joining the rotation in August.
That experience eases any concern Thomson would have about Suárez’s ability to come out of the bullpen with the Phillies’ backs against the wall. There’s also no reason to worry about the uncertain plans impacting Suárez’s potential start in Game 7, if he isn’t needed in Game 6.
So the biggest question becomes: if Suárez indeed pitches in Game 6 and the Phillies extend the series, how will they navigate their way to 27 outs on Sunday?
Nola would get the start, but he’d be pitching on short rest — and each of his past three outings have already been abbreviated. He hasn’t made it out of the fifth inning in any of those three starts, nor has he thrown more than 81 pitches. Nola has an 8.64 ERA over 8 1/3 innings in two World Series starts.
The potential silver lining is that Nola, who made it through four scoreless innings in Game 4 before hitting a wall in the fifth, would likely only be tasked with getting through Houston’s order once. After that, Thomson would simply empty his bullpen. Obviously, each reliever’s availability could be impacted by Game 6 usage, but the bullpen is in relatively good shape.
They are all available in Game 6. The same likely applies to Game 7.
The key question is which of those games — and in what role — will the Phils deploy Suárez?
“Ever since I signed with the Phillies, I dreamt about making it to a World Series — and look at us now, we are here,” Suárez said. “It’s not only that I want this, I know that the city of Philadelphia also wants it.”
And he’s ready to do whatever it takes this weekend to bring the trophy home.