Phillies are season-high seven games over .500 and have a positive run differential for 1st time since April 12.
— Matt Breen ( @matt_breen ) September 25, 2021
The Mets have officially been eliminated from playoff contention.
— Steve Gelbs ( @SteveGelbs ) September 25, 2021
The Phillies have also clinched a .500 record and made me a nice chunk of change on the 80.5 over. I was pretty nervous for parts of these last few weeks!
I don't even care that the Mets get a better draft pick now. Their front office/ownership is still worse than ours!
Ranger Suarez has a 1.69 ERA in 11 starts since moving to the Phillies rotation on August 2.
— Matt Breen ( @matt_breen ) September 25, 2021
Since then, only two starters - Max Scherzer and Max Fried - have a lower ERA.
Tonight might be Vince Velasquez most important start with a Phillies playoff spot on the line. Going for the Padres tonight after a couple of bad initial starts.
I think he's #2 in the rotation going into next year.
Nola shouldn't be counted on as a top starter until he shows he's past his funk - I think he's better than he's looked this year, but he hasn't averaged 6 IP per start since 2019. He may well be better served in a lesser role with the occasional 6 days between starts.
Ranger Suarez threw the #Phillies first nine-inning CG with fewer than 100 pitches since Zach Eflin (92 pitches) on 7/5/2016, against ATL. It was the #Phillies first nine-inning SHO with fewer than 100 pitches since Kyle Kendrick (94 pitches) on 5/26/2012, in St. Louis.
— Todd Zolecki ( @ToddZolecki ) September 25, 2021
It doesn't really matter who starts the second game or third game or fourth game, and they may also want to slot Ranger 2nd or 3rd simply for being a lefty. The main thing is they have four solid starters and if you are confident in Ranger, and in Eflin being back, you really only need another guy for depth (along with Falter and the inevitable AAAA options.
Or his emergence lets you consider trading Nola or Eflin, if it makes the team better in some other way.
Almost thought I was following the Phillies bullpen as the padres pen blows a 4 run lead in the sixth.