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It’s 4-0 in the bottom of the first inning against the Washington Nationals in the 160th game of the regular season.
In the previous four games, the lowly Nationals have scored a combined four runs–tonight, they’ve matched that total over 42 meandering pitches from Ranger Suarez.
One of those pitches, in a pivotal 3-2 count, was taken 432 feet to left-center by designated hitter Stone Garrett in his very first at-bat of the season. In total, Suarez would scatter 59 pitches over two innings, surrendering six runs on seven hits and two walks in his last start of the season.
Just three months ago, Suarez was on top of the world—a leading candidate for the N.L. Cy Young Suarez owned a dominant 10-2 record with a 1.83 ERA in 16 starts through June 25, landing him a spot on his first All-Star team.
It was a coronation of one of the sport’s top young arms–Suarez had come into the season uncharacteristically healthy and was the team’s best pitcher from Opening Day–no more was he just the team’s best-kept postseason secret; he was a legitimate, top-five starting pitcher in the National League.
Unfortunately, Suarez must have flown too close to the early summer sun, and with his innings totaling higher than ever, he began to crash and burn.
In four starts from June 30 through July 22, Suarez went 0-3 with a 7.71 ERA before landing on the IL with a back injury. Since returning from the IL on August 24, it’s been much of the same: an uninspiring 2-3 record with a 5.74 ERA in seven starts. His velocity has been down. His signature command has wavered. He hasn’t logged a quality start since June 25.In the wake of Suarez’s disastrous second half–and with the emergence of Cristopher Sanchez–the Phillies have demoted Ranger to being the fourth starter in the upcoming NLDS. A decision is to be made as to whether or not Aaron Nola or Sanchez will start Game 2, but regardless, it is known that if the series comes to a fourth game, Ranger Suarez will make the start.
Is that the right move?
I’m not sureif even the Phillies can admit
that it is at this point. It’s incredibly strange to say that, given just how clutch Suarez has been in the postseason the last two years. It is, however, perhaps the only move that the Phillies can make when your Weapon X turns into a hot mess down the stretch. Behind Suarez–who will assuredly have the shortest of leashes in October–there isn’t much in the ‘pen to eat innings. Taijuan Walker won’t make the postseason roster, and long-man Spencer Turnbull, out since June 26, will attempt to pitch in the team’s intrasquad game this week but hasn’t exactly faced Major League competition in his limited rehab stints in Lehigh Valley.
While the chances of Suarez making a complete 180 in time for the postseason are unlikely; however, it isn’t all doom and gloom. The depth of the starting rotation, in theory, can allow for one of the team’s top pitchers to not play to the best of their ability while still having success.
If Ranger can be just 80% of his potential, if he can provide three to five innings of two-run ball and save the bullpen just a little bit, then the Phillies will have a shot.
And if we’ve learned anything over the last two years, it’s that one chance is all that this team needs to go all the way.
PHOTO: Lucas Boland/Imagn Images
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Dylan Campbell
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