The Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros got an extra day of rest on Monday when Game 3 of the World Series was postponed due to rain in the Philadelphia area.
It would seem that the extra day off has benefitted the Phillies quite a bit.
They were originally going to start Noah Syndergaard in Game 3.
However, they’ll be going with left-hander Ranger Suarez, who was originally set to start Game 4.
This allows them to keep both Suarez and right-hander Aaron Nola on full rest.
With Suarez and Nola being kept on the same schedule, it appears that the Phillies will have Syndergaard on the bump for Game 5 of the series, giving Zack Wheeler extra rest.
Thomson: Ranger Suárez will start Game 3 tomorrow night. Nola in G4. Syndergaard G5. Wheeler is getting extra rest regardless.
— Matt Gelb (@MattGelb) October 31, 2022
Nola Set For Game 4
This is a huge plus for the Phillies.
Regardless of Game 3’s outcome, they’ll have Nola on the hill for Game 4 and they’ll have him on full rest.
While Syndergaard is set to start Game 5 as of now, the Phillies could end up going with Zack Wheeler in Game 5 if they win Games 3 and 4 and build up a 3-1 lead in the series, and Wheeler would be on full rest thanks to the extra day off.
Right now, the plan is to keep Suarez and Nola on the same schedule and have Syndergaard for Game 5.
But if they win Game 3, they’ll have Nola ready on full rest for Game 4 and a chance to take command of the series.
At the very least, they don’t have to adjust Nola’s schedule and he’ll be able to start Game 4 on regular rest.
But if the Phillies take a 3-1 lead in the series, it would be hard to imagine them not starting Wheeler in Game 5, especially if they’re at home and facing Justin Verlander.
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