GDT 10/19/23 Philadelphia Phillies (Suárez, R) @ Arizona Diamondbacks (Pfaadt)

[Brashin]

Well I had them winning in 5 so did not believe we would have gotten the sweep, shame to let it slip away with another good pitching performance by Ranger

[zambonir]

definitely would have hooked Kimbrel sooner. But so it goes. Granted they're on the road but this is no more of a killer than Game 2 last round was. Tomorrow could be a crazy one though (just like last year's Game 4).

[Brashin]

Just as long as we get a W who cares

[zambonir]

I'm not worried about the offense tomorrow but it could easily be an 8-7 (or 10-8) game that goes either ways.

[MichaelJackSchmidt]

Who's pitching for the Phillies?

[bkox]

Who's pitching for the Phillies?

Rob Thomson said Cristopher Sanchez will start Game 4.

— Todd Zolecki ( @ToddZolecki ) October 20, 2023

[MichaelJackSchmidt]

Oh boy... He hasn't pitched since September 30th...

[bkox]

even w/the loss, the Phillies have trailed at the end of only three full innings this postseason

that’s the fewest over any 9-game span within a single postseason

prior fewest in a 9-game single-PS span was 8, by 2016 CLE

h/t @EliasSports

— Sarah Langs ( @SlangsOnSports ) October 20, 2023

[zambonir]

That could mean he goes anywhere from 1-3 innings. More if he's good.

Kimbrel is gonna Kimbrel so in hindsight the question really is, why not Seranthony or even Strahm in Kerkering's spot. But they also had the luxury of not going all out to win this game.

And history remains the same, btw.

[bkox]

Oh boy... He hasn't pitched since September 30th...

The other option is Walker.. who also hasnt pitched since September 30th

[zambonir]

He could easily just be the opener for Walker. Get a few lefties across one inning and get out of there.

Rob answers the Kerkering question. "The moment's not too big for him." And they liked him against lefty PH too.

[zambonir]

It was always gonna be both, just a question of the order/duration.

[HopeSpringsEternal]

Certainly disappointing to lose, but some encouraging takeaways from today’s game:

• Suarez pitched well; hopefully we won’t need him again this series, but if we do, we should feel confident with Ranger as a game 7 starter.
• Good bullpen work from both Hoffman and Alvarado.
• Defense continues to play better in the postseason than in the regular season (except for Turner, who has continued to mix in some errors with his otherwise solid play at SS).

Hopefully Sanchez and Walker can out duel the Arizona bullpen tomorrow (I am assuming it’s a bullpen game coming up for the D-backs). Phillies need to take batting practice on the field tomorrow. Go Phil’s!

[BostonRoss]

Turner has made a lot of bad plays in the postseason, but also several really good ones.

[Patchmk88]

The one guy it seems that is locked in for the Dbacks is Marte. Going to have to figure out how to get him out.

[zambonir]

Suarez pitched well; hopefully we won’t need him again this series, but if we do, we should feel confident with Ranger as a game 7 starter.

Hopefully we won't need him out of the pen either, but it could happen. Also he's probably Game 1 starter if they do win in 6.

I think the Phillies are basically running a bullpen game tomorrow too. It would be nice if Sanchez and Walker give them three innings each but hardly guaranteed. Nor will they necessarily pitch in sequence.

[bkox]

Also he's probably Game 1 starter if they do win in 6.

Game one of the WS? Series doesnt start til Friday the 27th. Wheeler goes in game 5 which will be on Saturday. So he will be on 5 days rest for game 1. Even Nola will be on 4 days rest for game 2 if he has to start NCLS game 6

[zambonir]

I guess I hadn't thought about how long the break was (which, also, is ridiculous). And Wheeler does prefer the least possible rest.

[MichaelJackSchmidt]

Ranger would likely pitch WS game 2.

[BostonRoss]

MLB seems to like to start the World Series on Friday, so they can avoid going up against the NFL on Sunday. The really couldn't start earlier than Thursday since the NLCS could go until Tuesday, maybe longer if there's a rainout.