The Philadelphia Phillies have set their rotation for Games 3 through 5 of the World Series against the Houston Astros.
Monday’s rain delay influenced Phillies manager Rob Thomson in his pitching decisions: originally, Noah Syndergaard was slated to start Game 3.
Now, however, with the extra day of rest, he is going with Ranger Suarez for Tuesday’s Game 3 instead of Thor.
Suarez has a 1.86 ERA in the postseason.
Syndergaard remains very much in play though for the rest of the series.
He is now scheduled to start Game 5 on Thursday, with Aaron Nola getting Game 4 on Wednesday.
There is a chance that Thomson needs to use Syndergaard from the bullpen, but he will try to do so only in case of emergency.
“If the Phillies have to use Syndergaard as a reliever for Game 3 or 4, then Kyle Gibson could start Game 5 with 60-65 pitches. Would imagine Syndergaard is only an emergency next few days, extra innings etc,” The Athletic’s Matt Gelb tweeted.
If the Phillies have to use Syndergaard as a reliever for Game 3 or 4, then Kyle Gibson could start Game 5 with 60-65 pitches. Would imagine Syndergaard is only an emergency next few days, extra innings etc.
— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) October 31, 2022
The Phillies Would Probably Prefer To Stay Away From Gibson
Gibson hasn’t been much of a factor in the postseason.
In the regular season, he had a 5.05 ERA.
Evidently, Thomson would prefer to save Syndergaard (4.12 ERA with the Phillies after arriving via trade) for Game 5.
Baseball is full of unexpected circumstances, and he may have to “burn” Syndergaard at some point in Games 3 or 4.
He will likely use him only in the event of extra-innings.
Game 1 went to extras, so it’s a concrete possibility.
Zack Wheeler will likely start Game 6 in Houston if the series gets that far.
If one of the teams sweeps the three games in Philadelphia from Tuesday to Thursday, the series will be over.
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