Rob Thomson gives Aaron Nola the nod in Game 3 of the NLDS, Ranger Suarez available out of the pen

After last night’s disaster-class, Rob Thomson told everyone that Aaron Nola, not Ranger Saurez, would take the bump in tomorrow night’s elimination Game 3 out in Los Angeles. 

Ranger Suarez will be used as a piggyback out of the bullpen in the event that things go sideways quick for Aaron Nola which honestly, is perfectly fine with me. Whatever. I literally do not care if Nola is starting Game 3. In fact, I think he’ll pitch well enough for the Phillies to win the game and extend this another night.

Nola has the pedigree to be in the postseason rotation and he will rise to the occasion and pitch well tomorrow night. Bet the house.

Game 3: Aaron Nola takes the mound tomorrow night 

Phillies manager Rob Thomson announces Aaron Nola will start Game 3 of the #NLDS. pic.twitter.com/DHL8jgsk5v

— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) October 7, 2025

The first part of this makes sense…

Obviously, it’s not like Nola has ever thrown out of the bullpen. Giving him a start makes perfect sense. Ranger Suarez definitely has pitched out of the bullpen and has done so successfully in the postseason, so if that’s the reasoning Rob Thomson is going with, then it’s surprisingly accurate. 

You can however, question when this decision was made. 

When did the Phillies decide that Nola would get the nod in Game 3? If Ranger Suarez was always going to be used out of the bullpen, then why wasn’t he considered when the Phillies were up 3-0 in Game 1 or trying to keep the game within reach in Game 2? 

That, along with a ton of other decisions that have been made over the past week, is on Rob Thomson to answer but if you’ve been paying attention, I really don’t see any proper clarification coming our way anytime soon. 

That Bunt Call From Topper Will Hurt For A Long Time…

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Managerial Malpractice: Rob Thomson stated that he was trying to tie the game when he gave Bryson Stott the call to bunt down a run with zero outs and Nick Castellanos on second

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