Phils have 'all the confidence in the world' in October bulldog Suárez

NEW YORK -- The Phillies will turn to Ranger Suárez to keep their season alive in Game 4 of the National League Division Series on Wednesday at Citi Field.

That would have been welcome news at any point over the past two postseasons. This is the guy who recorded the final out to clinch the 2022 NL pennant. He turned in a scoreless outing in his lone start in the ensuing World Series. He also started the 2023 NLDS clincher vs. the Braves.

Even just a few months ago, not only would most Phillies fans have been confident in Suárez in this spot, but he may have been the No. 1 choice for some.

But it's not past postseasons -- and Suárez certainly hasn't been the same pitcher he was early in the year.

And now, the Phillies need him to help get this series back to Philadelphia.

"It doesn't matter, the situation is that I'm going to pitch tomorrow -- if it's to clinch the series or if it's [needing] to win the game," Suárez said via interpreter Diego D'Aniello before Tuesday night's 7-2 loss in Game 3. "I think the best thing that I could focus on is just being my best self and giving a hundred percent of myself."

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Suárez was a legitimate NL Cy Young frontrunner for the first two and a half months of the season. The left-hander was the first pitcher since Hall of Famer Juan Marichal in 1966 to start 9-0 with a sub-1.50 ERA through 10 games. He still had a ridiculous 1.75 ERA through 15 starts.

Then, everything changed.

Suárez had an off night in Detroit on June 25, when he gave up four runs (two earned) over six innings. His next outing was even worse. All told, Suárez went 0-3 with a 7.06 ERA in his final four starts before the All-Star break.

Despite being a first-time All-Star, Suárez opted not to attend the Midsummer Classic after complaining of back spasms following his final start of the first half. His first start coming out of the break was then pushed back to July 22, but he woke up feeling tightness in his back after that outing.

Suárez was placed on the IL with back soreness and missed the next month -- and he just hasn't been the same pitcher since his Aug. 24 return. He posted a 5.74 ERA over seven starts down the stretch.

"He’s a bulldog and a competitor," said Aaron Nola, who took the loss in Game 3. "Yeah, he had some up-and-down games after the All-Star break, but he’s healthy right now and he likes pitching in the postseason. He’s going to come out and compete for us.”

Saying Suárez likes pitching in the postseason is a bit of an understatement.

The 29-year-old has a 1.62 ERA in nine career postseason appearances (seven starts). The only pitchers with a lower postseason ERA (minimum five starts) are Sandy Koufax (0.95), Stephen Strasburg (1.46), Mickey Lolich (1.57) and George Earnshaw (1.58).

"What happens in September stays in September," Suárez said. "It's time to turn the page. I just forget about it. I'm not thinking about it too much. We're in October now, so it's a different atmosphere. A different vibe."

Of course, Suárez hasn't recently looked much like someone who should be mentioned in the same sentence as Koufax. The last time we saw Suárez pitch, he was getting tagged for six runs in just two innings against the Nationals in his final regular-season start on Sept. 27.

But manager Rob Thomson said the lefty looked much better in last Wednesday's intrasquad game.

"We've been working on a lot of things since my last start, basically on my mechanics," Suárez said. "My last adjustment was during the intrasquad game; I think I did a really good job in that one. I executed a couple of pitches and I felt good. I think I'm going to have that feeling [in Game 4], as well."

Added Thomson: "He was really good for two innings -- the velocity was back up, the command was really good. I haven't seen the command like that since he's come back from the injury."

Suárez says he's fully healthy now. Thomson says the velocity and command are back.

The Phillies say they couldn't be any more confident in Suárez.

"All the confidence in the world in him," said first baseman Bryce Harper. "Obviously, we’ve got to win. We expect the best out of him tomorrow."

Nick Castellanos doubled down: “All the confidence in the world."