The Philadelphia Phillies have been notably inconsistent since the All-Star break, fluctuating between moments of despair and signs of resurgence in a repetitive cycle. As Major League Baseball heads into the final stretch of the regular season, every playoff-contending team, including the Phillies, aims to build momentum heading into October.
For the Phillies, the return of key injured players, particularly Ranger Suárez, who is expected to rejoin the rotation this Saturday in Kansas City, could provide a crucial boost.
The big question is: What version of Ranger Suárez do the Phillies need upon his return? Suárez has been sidelined since July 24 due to lower back tightness, which may have contributed to his struggles in July when he posted a 6.61 ERA over three starts. This back issue also caused him to miss his first All-Star game.
Before his tough July, Suárez had been one of the Phillies’ most reliable starters. By June 30, he had achieved a remarkable 2.27 ERA over 72 innings, earning the title of National League Pitcher of the Month for March/April.
While replicating his dominant early-season performance would be ideal, it’s a tall order. The Phillies will be well-positioned if Suárez can simply stabilize the rotation and keep them competitive in his starts. Looking at his career statistics, Suárez’s numbers as a starter—3.38 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and 8.3 K/9—are solid, and any team would be pleased with a third starter delivering those figures.
It was always likely that Suárez would regress closer to his career averages as the season progressed. The positive takeaway for the Phillies is that his career metrics are still better than many other pitchers in the league.
Since the All-Star break, the Phillies’ rotation has been average, ranking 14th in ERA (4.29), 12th in innings pitched (159 1/3), and 21st in WHIP (1.32). Reinserting Suárez into a rotation alongside a healthy Zack Wheeler, Aaron Nola, and Cristopher Sánchez could elevate the staff’s overall performance.
The Phillies don’t need Suárez to be superhuman—just solid and consistent. While a sub-3.00 ERA would be a bonus, pitching to his career norms would still significantly bolster the rotation. With the offense hopefully finding its stride and the bullpen holding leads, the team must hit its stride as the season winds down. A healthy Suárez could be key to that effort.
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