The Phillies will use Ranger Suarez for Game 1 of the National League in Atlanta, just as they did a year ago.
The Phillies had three different options to start Saturday night: Suarez, Christopher Sanchez and Taijuan Walker. The way the series is scheduled allows both teams’ Game 1 starting pitchers to pitch again in Game 4 during their normal rest period, and their Game 2 starting pitchers can pitch in Game 5 during their normal rest period. There is a possibility that he will appear.
The Braves are expected to start right-hander Spencer Strider, a flamethrower who led the majors in wins (20) and strikeouts (281) this season, in Game 1. Strider has been in poor health, and his velocity dropped significantly in last year’s postseason. He allowed five runs and pitched no more than three innings in his NLDS start in Philadelphia. In his other eight innings against the Phils, he was 8-0 with a 1.90 ERA and a .151 opponents’ batting average, with 72 strikeouts in 1/3 innings.
The key to beating the strider is usually to hit the fastball low and the breaking ball high. He loves to challenge batters just above the top of the zone with rising fastballs, which he often swings through.
If the best-of-five series is played in all five games, Atlanta is expected to start Strider in Games 1 and 4 and left-hander Max Fried in Games 2 and 5.
The Phillies can use ace Zack Wheeler in Games 2 and 5. Aaron Nola will be in line for Game 3. Game 4 could be Suarez, or it could be some sort of opener.
The off period between Games 1 and 2, Games 2 and 3, and Games 4 and 5 allows the Phillies to be more aggressive with their bullpen. Unless Suarez keeps the Braves in check, his Game 1 start may not last long.
In selecting Suarez for Game 1, the Phillies chose the safest option. They’ve seen him start in the playoffs before, they’ve seen him come into play in key moments. He pitched better down the stretch than Walker, who lasted an inning in the only playoff start of his career six years ago. While Walker had a 7.04 ERA this season, the 2023 Braves may have the best first-inning offense in major league history.
Sanchez pitched 99 1/3 innings with a 3.44 ERA, but he never appeared in the postseason, and the Phillies will likely move him out of the bullpen and use him as a multi-inning or leverage reliever.
Sanchez faced the Braves twice in September, striking out 10 in 7 1/3 innings in his first start and giving up three runs in four innings six days later. He has thrown 156 pitches for the Braves over the past three weeks, and his recent familiarity may have been a factor in the decision.
Suarez played once at home against the Braves on June 20, pitching six innings, allowing one run and striking out seven.
The NLDS schedule for Phillies vs. Braves is as follows:
Game 1 in Atlanta — Saturday 6:07 p.m.
Game 2 in Atlanta — Monday, 6:07 p.m.
Game 3 in Philadelphia — Wednesday 5:07 p.m.
Game 4 in Philadelphia (If necessary) — Thursday 6:07 p.m.
Game 5 at Atlanta (If necessary) — Saturday 6:07 p.m.
