PHILADELPHIA – It was a cold October night in 2022. The Phillies were clinging to a 1-run lead against the San Diego Padres in Game 5 of the NLCS. With 1 out and runners at first and second, Rob Thomson called Ranger Suarez into the ball game.
The Phillies’ starting pitcher had been used in a multitude of roles up to this point in his career. Ranger had been used as a Swiss army knife thus far in the post-season and with the biggest moment of their season at play, Suarez entered the ballgame. A chance to go to the World Series was on the line and for Ranger, not an ounce of worry had crept into his mind.
As we all know, Suarez would get the next two batters out to send the Phillies back to the World Series for the first time since 2009. You know what happened next and what happened in the season to follow. Ranger Suarez’s legend in the city of Philadelphia continues to grow but what 2024 has taught us is that the left-hander might just be the heartbeat of the club.
Cy Suarez
There was a time in the 2024 season when Ranger Suarez was the best pitcher in baseball. He was rising up the ranks of the NL Cy Young race and Suarez was putting together an unreal start to his best season as a professional. Earning an All-Star nomination, the lefty was enjoying the run he and his teammates were on.
The optics looked great for the Phillies and their starting rotation was dominating other clubs. If defense wins championships in football, then pitching wins championships in baseball. With the best rotation in the game, what could stop the Phillies?
Injuries. Injuries could halt the Phillies.
On June 1st, Suarez would leave his start early against the St. Louis Cardinals. He was hit by a comebacker on the mound and while he still made the play, he was clearly in pain. The Phillies ended up winning the ballgame and Ranger would make his next start. But in the next few outings, it didn’t seem like Ranger was himself. In his following three outings, he continued to pitch well, but the box scores won’t indicate how he necessarily looked while pitching.
A five-game stretch between Jun 25th and July 22nd was evident that something was wrong with Ranger Suarez. In those games, he pitched to a 6.67 earned run average, going 0-4 in just 27 innings of work. After the final start in that period, the Phillies placed their starting pitcher on the Injured List with lower back soreness.
The Phillies’ Pulse
Before taking the ball in Detroit, the Phillies sat with a record of 52-26. They were at the top of the National League by 8 games and World Series parades were on the minds of many Phillies fans.
This was obviously the start of Ranger’s struggles for the 2024 season. With the start of his struggles, so too did his club. After that start and concluding with the Braves series this past Thursday, the Phillies went 22-27 through this period. Entering this weekend’s series against the Kansas City Royals, the Phillies were 74-53, a respectable record, but one far from the pace set earlier in the season.
Ranger Suarez would make his return to the mound on Saturday night against the Royals. It was his first start back off the Injured List and his first game action since July 22nd. Ranger earned his 11th win of the season, tossing 5 innings, allowing 4 hits, and 1 earned run. He looked much more like the pitcher he was at the start of the 2024 season and shut down an impressive Royals lineup, who are significantly better at home.
A lot of factors go into the slump the Philadelphia Phillies have found themselves in over the past couple of months. However, it cannot be denied the impact Ranger Suarez has on the team itself. He is never panicked and sets the tone each night he picks up a baseball. He shares this calmness with manager Rob Thomson and feels like an extension of the manager on the field.
This is not to say the Phillies’ season is saved and that everything will be okay. However, adding Ranger back into the starting rotation will surely improve the club’s chances of winning ballgames. If he can stay healthy, this would be the best trade deadline-like move any team would have made this season.
In their best moments over the past few seasons, it seems like Ranger Suarez finds himself in the middle of the biggest of spots. His consistent nature and low heart rate make him a leader in the clubhouse. After Saturday’s performance, it is safe to say that the Phillies are ecstatic to have back Ranger Suarez.