World Series Game 3: Ranger Suarez, Phillies, reset pitching rotation, will face Lance McCullers tonight at The Bank
Shoutout Mother Nature who came in CLUTCH yesterday evening in Philadelphia. Heavy rain poured down in South Philadelphia, postponing the Noah Syndergaard Game 3 matchup of the 2022 World Series. The postponement pushed Game 3 to tonight, giving Rob Thomson and the Phillies the opportunity to reset their rotation for the final five games of the series.
Rob Thomson went all-in on Friday night and came out with a win in extra innings thanks to a strong effort from the bullpen and a home run courtesy of JT Realmuto. On Saturday night, the Astros came out swinging and tagged Zack Wheeler early, tying up the series 1-1 with a 5-2 victory. Just like the last two series, of course it would have been nice if the Phillies won both games in Houston and could return back to Philly for the next three up 2-0. That just didn’t happen.
Phillies Rotation for Remainder of World Series
- Game 3: Ranger Suarez
- Game 4: Aaron Nola
- Game 5: Syndergaard/Gibson
- Game 6: Zack Wheeler (Extra Rest)
- Game 7: Ranger Suarez
Lance McCullers Jr vs Ranger Suarez
Again, the weather postponement worked out in the Phillies advantage. They will now have their three best starting pitchers on the mound in four out of the last five games of the series and since they split in Houston, they also have home field advantage.
The Phillies will now send Ranger Suarez on the mound on Tuesday with the series tied 1-1 instead of Noah Syndergaard. Suarez didn’t originally start Game 3 due to his bullpen innings in Game 1, but with an extra day of rest, the lefty will now be ready to go tonight at Citizens Bank Park.
Pushing Syndergaard/Eflin back to Thursday also makes the Phillies feel more comfortable with unloading their bullpen, with Friday being an off-day. If they kept the rotation how it was, the team would’ve been banking on a 7-8 inning start from Ranger, which as we all know, rarely happens. Giving Zack Wheeler an extra day of rest is huge, considering even though he said it’s nothing to worry about, something could be going on with his ankle after getting hit back in the San Diego series.
Suarez has been great for the Phils in the playoffs, being the swiss army knife of the Phillies’ pitching staff. He’s tallied a 1.86 ERA with an 8.4 K/9, allowing just six hits in 9.2 innings.
Opposing Syndergaard will be Lance McCullers Jr, who the Phillies beat on October 3rd with Aaron Nola on the mound. That game, Nola carried a perfect game into the seventh inning and ultimately put the Phillies in the playoffs. McCullers allowed just one run, a Schwarber home run, on the first pitch of the game.
McCullers threw six innings, allowing six hits, one earned run, and a walk while striking out five Phillies batters. Schwarber had two hits and 2 RBI that game, while Bryson Stott went 3-for-3 with the other RBI. JT Realmuto, Bryce Harper, Brandon Marsh all had hits that game as well.
World Series Game 3: Houston Astros @ Philadelphia Phillies – 8:04PM – Citizens Bank Park
| TEAM | SPREAD | MONEY | TOTAL |
| Houston Astros | -1.5 (+130) | -130 | O 8 (-105) |
| Philadelphia Phillies | +1.5 (-156) | +110 | U 8 (-115) |
The Philadelphia Phillies LOVE playing at Citizens Bank Park in the postseason. They are a perfect 5-0 at home and have been destroying the baseball, scoring 35 runs while averaging .296 with 12 home runs. The bullpen has been lights out as well, with. a1.85 ERA during that span.
I fully expect to have our lineup hitting off Lance McCullers at home. We have seen time and time again how much our Phillies like to crush baseballs at Citizens Bank Park in October. I also find it really hard to believe that the Astros are going to be able to come into South Philadelphia tonight and leave with a win.
You want a 2-1 series lead with Aaron Nola at Citizens Bank Park tomorrow in Game 4. Set the tone. Hit the baseball early and often. Feed off the energy from the crowd. Limit damage from your bullpen game.
It sounds simple, because it is simple.
Philadelphia Phillies +110
