Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson announced that right-handed pitcher Aaron Nola — not left-hander Ranger Suarez — is starting Game 3 of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
More news: Phillies Manager Has 1-Word Answer After Surprise Ranger Suarez Decision
Suarez has been available out of the bullpen in Games 1 and 2, but hasn’t pitched. However, the Phillies are instead going with Nola with their season on the line, while Suarez will be available out of the bullpen.
The Phillies trail the Dodgers, 2-0, in the best-of-five NLDS. Despite Suarez having a 3.20 ERA across 26 starts this season, he hasn’t thrown a pitch in the NLDS.
Now, with the Phillies one loss away from their season being over, Aaron Nola — who had a 6.01 ERA across 17 starts in his injury-riddled 2025 campaign — is taking the ball.
“It’ll be Aaron Nola, with Ranger behind him,” Thomson said after Game 2.
Why Nola over Suarez?
“Nola’s never pitched out of the ‘pen,” Thomson said. “How long he goes, I don’t know. And I trust him.”
Thomson was then asked if there was a health-related issue with Suarez keeping him off the mound thus far in the NLDS.
“No, no, no,” he said. “Nothing.”
The Phillies have greatly disappointed over the first two games of the NLDS, and are now one loss away from their 2025 season being over.
The Dodgers went into Citizens Bank Park and stole both Games 1 and 2 behind impressive performances by their starting pitching and two big saves from rookie right-hander Roki Sasaki.
While the talk leading up to the NLDS was about the Dodgers’ questionable bullpen, it’s been the Phillies’ relievers who have been unable to quiet the Dodgers’ bats.
Now, it’ll be up to Nola (and seemingly Suarez after him) to keep the Phillies’ season alive for Game 3 at Dodger Stadium. If the Phillies are able to force a Game 4, it would seem likely that the team goes back to Cristopher Sanchez, who allowed two earned runs across 5.2 innings in NLDS Game 1.
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