Whenever he was healthy, Zack Wheeler was the Philadelphia Phillies’ best pitcher during the 2022 season.
He had a rock-solid 2.82 ERA in 153 innings during the regular season, and is at a very good 2.67 through 30.1 playoff frames.
He is the man in charge of taking the ball for the Phillies in Game 6 on Saturday and trying to stop the bleeding: the Phils lost two straight games at home and are now in win-or-go-home mode.
Unfortunately, it appears Wheeler won’t be at 100 percent when he takes the hill tomorrow night.
“Zack Wheeler, bothered my arm fatigue, was fine in his bullpen session on Thursday and will still start in Game 6 but #Phillies manager Rob Thomson said that Ranger Suarez will be available in relief, pitching Aaron Nola if there’s a Game 7,” MLB insider Bob Nightengale tweeted.
Zack Wheeler, bothered by my arm fatigue, was fine in his bullpen session on Thursday and will still start in Game 6 but #Phillies manager Rob Thomson said that Ranger Suarez will be available in relief, pitching Aaron Nola if there’s a Game 7.
— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) November 4, 2022
Suarez Will Only Be Used In An Emergency
Suarez, Thomson said, will only be used if there is a spot in which the Phillies absolutely need him.
That would imply he is only an emergency option, since he is scheduled to take the ball on Sunday’s Game 7 should the Phillies make it that far.
There won’t be Game 7 if the Phillies don’t win Game 6, though, so that’s why Thomson is considering using Suarez on Saturday if he has to.
If that’s the case, Nola will get the ball on Game 7 on three days rest.
That’s obviously not an ideal situation, but tough times require difficult measures.
The Astros are one win away from winning the Fall Classic, and will be sending Framber Valdez – who has been stellar during the entire playoffs – to the mound on Saturday.
Houston’s options for a hypothetical Game 7 are Lance McCullers Jr. and Cristian Javier on short rest.