Series tied at 3-3
ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS NOTES:
EMBRACE THE CHAOS: The D-backs are in the Postseason for the seventh time in franchise history: 1999, 2001, 2002, 2007, 2011, 2017 and 2023.
♦ In 51 Postseason games as a franchise, the D-backs are 26-25 (.510), 16-9 @ home, 10-16 on the road.
♦ It is the D-backs’ first National League Championship Series appearance since 2007 (Oct 11-15) when they faced the Rockies and third in club history (also: 2001 vs. Braves).
♦ It marks the latest the D-backs have played into a calendar year since their 2001 World Series run.
♦ It is the first series the D-backs are facing off with the Phillies in the Postseason and first time since 1995 in which there are 2 Postseason matchups that had never occurred previously.
IN POTENTIAL ELIMINATION: Last night, the D-backs won their first potential elimination game on the road and are now 7-5 in Postseason games (1-0 in Game 7) where they face potential elimination:
Date Rd. GM Opp Result
10/23/2023 NLCS 6 @ PHI W, 5-1
10/9/2017 NLDS 3 LAD L 1-3
10/4/2017 NLWC 1 COL W 11-8
10/7/2011 NLDS 5 @ MIL L 2-3 (10)
10/5/2011 NLDS 4 MIL W 10-6
10/4/2011 NLDS 3 MIL W 8-1
10/15/2007 NLCS 4 @ COL L 4-6
10/5/2002 NLDS 3 @ STL L 3-6
11/4/2001 WS 7 NYY W 3-2
11/3/2001 WS 6 NYY W 15-2
10/14/2001 NLDS 5 STL W 2-1
10/9/1999 NLDS 4 @ NYM L 3-4 (10)
TEAMS WHO HAVE FORCED AN NLCS GAME 7: Since 1985, when the Championship series format changed to best-of-7, teams who forced an NLCS Game 7 are 7-4 in Game 7 (3-2 on the road):
2020: Dodgers overcame 3-1 deficit over Braves (WON Game 7 @ Globe Life).
2018: Brewers forced Game 7 with Dodgers (lost Game 7 @ home).
2012: Giants overcame 3-1 deficit over Cardinals (WON Game 7 @ home).
2006: Mets forced Game 7 with Cardinals (lost Game 7 @ home).
2004: Cardinals forced Game 7 with Astros (WON Game 7 on road).
2003: Marlins overcame 3-1 deficit over Cubs (WON Game 7 on road).
1996: Braves overcame 3-1 deficit over Cardinals (WON Game 7 @ home).
1992: Pirates forced Game 7 with Braves (lost Game 7 on road).
1991: Braves forced Game 7 with Pirates (WON Game 7 on road).
1988: Mets forced Game 7 with Dodgers (lost Game 7 on road).
1987: Cardinals forced Game 7 with Giants (WON Game 7 @ home).
TEAMS TO WIN BEST-OF-7 AFTER LOSING FIRST 2 ROAD GAMES:
♦ 2004 ALCS – Red Sox defeat Yankees in 7 games
♦ 1985 NLCS – Cardinals defeat Dodgers in 6 games
♦ 1981 World Series – Dodgers defeat Yankees in 6 games
♦ 1978 World Series – Yankees defeat Dodgers in 6 games
♦ 1971 World Series – Pirates defeat Orioles in 7 games
SNAKES ALIVE: The D-backs’ 4 stolen bases last night tied for the most in a Postseason game in franchise history (also: Oct. 9 in Game 2 of the NLDS @ Dodgers).
♦ The D-backs’ 2 games this Postseason with 4+ stolen bases ranks tied for second in MLB Postseason history (also: 1995 Reds, 1989 Athletics, 1909 Pirates, 1908 Cubs, 1905 Giants), behind the 2008 Rays (3 games) and 1907 Cubs (3 games).
MARTE PART-AY: Ketel Marte has hit safely in each of his fi rst 15 career Postseason games (.385 AVG/1.080 OPS; 25-for-65, 10 XBH)…he is tied for the longest streak in MLB Postseason history to begin a Postseason career with Marquis Grissom (15 games – 1995-96).
♦ Marte’s 15-game Postseason hitting streak overall is tied for the sixth-longest in MLB Postseason history, behind Manny Ramírez (17 games), Derek Jeter (17 games), Hank Bauer (17 games), Michael Brantley (16 games) and Pat Borders (16 games).
♦ Marte’s 18 hits this Postseason rank second in a single Postseason in franchise history, behind Steve Finley (19 in 2001) while his 30 total bases are the most by any D-back in a single Postseason (previous: 27 by Luis Gonzalez in 2001).
WALK IT OUT: Christian Walker’s 10 walks this Postseason are the most by any D-back in franchise history in a single Postseason (previous: 9 by Reggie Sanders in 2001).
GAME 7: Tonight, the D-backs will play their second
Game 7 in franchise history (previous: Game 7 of the 2001 World Series on Nov. 4 vs. Yankees – W, 3-2) while the Phillies will play their first-ever Game 7 in any Postseason series.
♦ It marks the D-backs’ fifth winner-take-all Postseason game (last: 2017 Wild Card vs. Rockies – W, 11-8).
♦ Arizona is 3-1 in winner-take-all Postseason games all-time.
BACK 2 BACK: Last night, Tommy Pham and Lourdes Gurriel Jr. became the fifth duo in franchise history to slug back-to-back home runs (2nd inning) in the Postseason and third pair during this Postseason.
♦ The D-backs 3 back-to-back homer occasions this Postseason are second most in a single MLB Postseason, behind the Red Sox (4 occasions in 2007)… their 5 overall in the Postseason rank tied for fourth all-time (also: Phillies and Dodgers), behind the Yankees (12), Red Sox (9) and Astros (6).
D-BACKS 5 POSTSEASON BACK-TO-BACK HOMER OCCASIONS:
- Oct. 23, 2023 @ Phillies (Tommy Pham and Lourdes Gurriel Jr.)
- Oct. 11, 2023 @ Dodgers (Gabriel Moreno and Christian Walker)
- Oct. 3, 2023 @ Brewers (Corbin Carroll and Ketel Marte)
- Oct. 6, 2017 @ Dodgers (Ketel Marte and Jeff Mathis)
- Oct 5, 2011 vs. Brewers (Chris Young and Ryan Roberts)
DINGER POST-SZN: The D-backs’ 7 players who have hit 2+ home runs (Corbin Carroll, Alek Thomas, Gabriel Moreno, Ketel Marte, Geraldo Perdomo,
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. and Tommy Pham) are the most this Postseason… their 7 players to meet the feat ranks tied for fourth in MLB Postseason history (also: 2009 Phillies and 2002 Giants), behind the 2020 Dodgers (9 players), 2020 Rays (8 players) and 2021 Braves (8 players).
♦ The D-backs and Rangers are the only teams to have 8 different players hit a home run this Postseason (also for AZ: Christian Walker).
7 D-BACKS’ PLAYERS WITH 2+ HOMERS THIS POSTSEASON:
- Alek Thomas – 4 • Ketel Marte – 2
- Gabriel Moreno – 3 • Geraldo Perdomo – 2
- Tommy Pham – 2 • Corbin Carroll – 2
- Lourdes Gurriel Jr. – 2
SWIPIN’ BAGS: The D-backs feature 7 players who have 1+ stolen bases, the most this Postseason, ahead of the Phillies (6)…in the Wild Card era, since 1995, the D-backs’ 7 players with 1+ stolen bases ranks tied for second most (also: 1995 Reds, 1998 Yankees, 2002 Angels, 2005 White Sox, 2005 Astros, 2015 Royals), behind the 1999 Braves (8), 2008 Rays (8), 2014 Royals (8), 2018 Dodgers (8) and 2019 Astros (8).
POSTSEASON ANSWER-BACKS: The D-backs’ 4 comeback wins are the most this Postseason (11th overall), ahead of the Phillies (2), Astros (2), Rangers (1) and Braves (1)…Arizona’s 4 comeback wins this Postseason are tied for the most in franchise history (also: 2001).
♦ The D-backs are the fi rst team to win consecutive Postseason games when trailing in the 7th inning or later in each since the 2015 Royals in the World Series (Games 4-5)…it is the 15th time a team has had such a streak in a Postseason…no team has done so in 3 straight games (source: @SlangsOnSports).
♦ Game 4 marked the second time this Postseason (and in franchise history in the Postseason) where Arizona rallied back from a 3-run defi cit (also: Wild Card Game 1 @ Brewers).
♦ The D-backs became the fourth team in Postseason history to have multi-run comeback wins in each of their first 2 games of the Postseason (Wild Card @ Brewers), joining the 1956 Dodgers, 2008 Rays and 2009 Yankees…Evan Longoria was a part of 2 of the teams (2008 Rays and 2023 Diamondbacks). In Game 1 @ Brewers, the D-backs collected their first-ever Postseason win after trailing 3+ runs in a game…prior to the game, the D-backs were 0-14 in Postseason games when trailing 3+ runs. In Game 2 @ Brewers, the D-backs overcame a 2-run deficit after plating 1 run in the fifth and 4 in the sixth.
STARTING PITCHER – RHP BRANDON PFAADT
AT A GLANCE: Entered this season as the D-backs’ No. 4 prospect by The Athletic (No. 38 overall) and MLB Pipeline (No. 59 overall).
- Made 18 Major League starts and went 3-9 with a 5.72 ERA (61 ER in 96.0 IP) over 3 stints in his first season with Arizona.
- Named the D-backs’ 2022 Minor League Pitcher of the Year after he led the organization in wins, ERA and strikeouts and went 11-7 with a 3.83 ERA (71 ER in 167.0 IP), 218 strikeouts and 1.16 WHIP in 29 starts between Double-A Amarillo and Triple-A Reno.
- D-backs’ fifth-round pick in the 2020 draft out of Bellarmine University (2018-20), their second-highest pick behind Todd Wellemeyer (4th round, 2000).
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: Is making his fourth career Postseason start (second on road).
- Owns an 11.1-inning Postseason scoreless streak (since third inning on Oct. 3 @ MIL).
- In 3 Postseason starts, is 0-0 with a 2.13 ERA (3 ER in 12.2 IP, 15 K)…the D-backs have won those 3 contests.
- Becomes the 13th rookie since 1903 to start a Game 7 and fifth to start Game 7 in the LCS since it expanded from 5 to 7 games in 1985 (previous Game 7 LCS rookie starters: Ian Anderson/ATL in 2020, Dustin May/LAD in 2020, Walker Buehler/LAD in 2018 and Daisuke Matsuzaka/BOS in 2007).
VS. PHILLIES: Is making his second career Postseason start against the Phillies and first @ Citizen’s Bank Park.
LAST START: Tossed 5.2 scoreless innings in his first career start against the Phillies @ Chase Field on Oct. 19 in Game 3 of the NLCS (2 H, 0 BB, 9 K).
- Became the first pitcher in MLB history to allow 0 runs and 0 walks in consecutive Postseason starts (source: @ESPNStatsInfo).
- Became the second pitcher in franchise history to strike out 9+ batters without a walk in a Postseason game (also: Curt Schilling, 2001 World Series Game 7) and the fourth Rookie pitcher in MLB Postseason history to record 8+ strikeouts without a walk.
K MACHINE: At age 25-004 days, Pfaadt became the youngest starting pitcher in franchise history to record 9+ strikeouts in a Postseason start and was the first to do it since Brandon Webb (9 K, Oct. 3, 2007, NLDS GM 1).
- Became the fourth pitcher in franchise history (11th time) to meet the 9+-strikeout feat, joining Webb (once), Curt Schilling (5x) and Randy Johnson (4x)…his 9 strikeouts also marked a career best (regular or Postseason) [previous high: 8, 3x – last: Sept. 27 @ White Sox).
- His 9 strikeouts tied for seventh-most by a rookie in a Postseason game, behind Livan Hernández (15, Game 5 of the 1997 NLCS), Mike Boddicker (14, Game 2 of the 1983 ALCS), John Candelaria (14, Game 3 of the 1975 NLCS), Don Newcombe (11, Game 1 of the 1949 World Series), Tim Belcher (10, Game 2 of the 1988 NLCS), Dave Righetti (10, Game 2 of the 1981 ALDS) (source: Sarah Langs).
- Pfaadt became the second pitcher in franchise history with 6+ strikeouts through 3 innings in a Postseason start (also: Randy Johnson, 2x) while his 7 strikeouts thru the first 4.0 innings tied for the most in a Postseason game in franchise history, joining Doug Davis (2007 NLDS -GM 2) and Randy Johnson (2001 WS -GM 2).
DEBUT DETAILS: Made his Major League debut on May 3 @ Rangers ( 7 ER in 4.2 IP).
- Became the second D-backs starter to make their MLB debut @ Rangers and first @ Globe Life Field (last: Nelson Figueroa on June 3, 2000).
- Was the first D-backs starter to make his debut in 2023…in 2022, Arizona had 3 starters make their MLB debuts: Tommy Henry on Aug. 3, Ryne Nelson on Sept. 5 and Drey Jameson on Sept. 15.
PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES NOTES:
BEDLAM AT THE BANK: The Phillies are 28-12 all time in the postseason at Citizens Bank Park with a .700 winning percentage that is the best in MLB history for any club to play 30+ postseason games at their home venue (Elias) … NYM (.667) at Shea Stadium (1969-2006) ranks 2nd, STL (.660 win %) at Busch Memorial Stadium (1967-2005) ranks 3rd, BAL (.633 win %) at Memorial Stadium (1966-83) ranks 4th and NYY (.627 win %) at Yankee Stadium I (1923-2007) ranks 5th … After losing their first 2 postseason games at CBP, Game 1 & 2 of the 2007 NLDS vs COL, the Phillies are 28-10 in the postseason at CBP since 2008 with a .737 winning percentage that ranks 1st among all 11 MLB teams at home since 2008 (min. 20 G), in front of SF (.643), LAD (.603) HOU (.596) and NYY (.595) … The Phils reached 25 postseason wins at CBP in only 36 games which is tied for the fastest to 25 wins in MLB history at a home venue during the postseason with the Mets at Shea Stadium (also 25-11) … Last night’s loss snapped an 11-game postseason winning streak against the National League at CBP which is the longest streak by either an NL or AL club against its own league in MLB history.
I’M OFF ON THE ADVENTURE: Tonight’s starter Ranger Suarez has pitched in 8 postseason games for the Phillies – they are 7-1 in those games and he has a 0.94 ERA in the postseason (3 ER, 28.2 IP) … Suarez has faced 112 batters in the playoffs and limited them to a .155/.223/.243 slash line (.466 OPS) … Over his last 6 appearances (since 2022 NLCS Game 5 vs SD), which includes 4 starts and 2 relief appearances, Suarez has allowed 1 run in 20.1 innings pitched (0.44 ERA) … Among the 367 pitchers in postseason history to throw 25.0 innings, Suarez’s 0.94 postseason ERA ranks 8th all-time (Sandy Koufax 9th at 0.95) – Suarez trails Dave Dravecky (0.35), Mariano Rivera (0.70), Harry Brecheen (0.83), Jeremy Affeldt (0.86), Babe Ruth (0.87), Sherry Smith (0.89) and Andrew Miller (0.93) … Suarez sent the Phillies to the World Series last year as he picked up the save in Game 5 of the NLCS against the Padres … Per FanGraphs, Suarez is up to 1.13 Win Probability Added in the postseason which ranks 3rd in franchise history among pitchers – he trails only Zack Wheeler (1.68 WPA) and 2008 World Series MVP Cole Hamels (1.20 WPA).
GAME 7: For the first time in Phillies franchise history, tonight they take the field for Game 7 … The Phillies have played three winner take all games in club history: Oct. 12, 1980 in NLCS Game 5 vs HOU (8-7 win, Phils win series 3-2); Oct. 11, 1981 in NLDS Game 5 vs MTL (3-0 MTL win, MTL wins series 3-2); Oct. 7, 2011 in NLDS Game 5 vs STL (1-0 STL win, STL wins series 3-2) … Kyle Schwarber, Trea Turner, Cristian Pache (2020 NLCS) and Garrett Stubbs (2020 ALCS) are the four players on the Phillies who have played in a Game 7 … Schwarber went 3-for-5 and stole a base in Game 7 of the 2016 World Series as the Cubs defeated the Cleveland Guardians – Turner led off for the Nationals in Game 7 of the 2019 World Series and walked in the 9th inning as the Nationals defeated the Houston Astros … Howie Kendrick, who hit a go-ahead 2-run home run in the 7th inning of that same Game 7 for the Nationals, is currently with the Phillies and serves as a special assistant to the general manager … Phillies hitting coach Kevin Long served in the same capacity for that 2019 Nationals club.
REMEMBER THE FIGHTINS: With a win tonight, the Phillies can clinch their 9th National League pennant and do so in consecutive seasons for just the second time in franchise history (other: 2008 & 2009) and become the 19th NL team all time to win two straight pennants … The Phillies have won 5 of their last 6 postseason clinchers (2022 WCS, 2022 NLDS, 2022 NLCS, 2023 WCS, 2023 NLDS) with their only loss in clinching games under Rob Thomson coming last night … All time, they are 15-5 in games they can clinch a postseason series and their .750 winning percentage in such games is the best in MLB history (min. 20 G) – BOS ranks 2nd at 24-13 (.649), LAD ranks 3rd at 26-17 (.605), SF ranks 4th at 19-13 (.594) and NYY ranks 5th at 55-39 (.585) … At home, the Phillies are 9-3 all time in clinching games (.750 win %) and they are 6-2 in clinching games at CBP (.750 win %).
FLAGS FLY FOREVER: The Phillies are back in the National League Championship Series for the second consecutive year after winning their 8th pennant in franchise history last season, a 4-1 series win over the San Diego Padres … This marks the 11th NLCS in franchise history (1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1983, 1993, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2022, 2023) … Since 1980, the Phillies are 27-15 in the NLCS with a .643 winning percentage that ranks 1st among all 8 MLB clubs who have played at least 40 LCS games (HOU .515, NYY .513, ATL .486, STL. 469, BOS .446, LAD .435, TOR .400) … Since 1980 at home in the NLCS, the Phillies are 16-5 (.762 win %) which includes an 11-3 record at Citizens Bank Park (.786 win %).
LEGEND OF THE FALL: Two-time MVP (2015 & 2021) and 2022 NLCS MVP Bryce Harper has played 29 postseason games for the Phillies and has reached base safely in 27 of them – in 122 plate appearances, Harper is slashing .337/.446/.733 with a 1.179 OPS, 26 runs, 7 doubles, 11 home runs (T-1st in franchise history with Schwarber & Werth), 21 RBI, 19 walks and 4 stolen bases … The Phillies are 17-3 in the postseason when Harper scores a run (.850), 10-0 when he homers and 11-0 when he knocks in a run … Harper had a 1.232 OPS through his first 25 postseason games with the Phillies which ranked 2nd in MLB history for any player’s first 25 postseason games with a club – he trailed only Lou Gehrig who posted a 1.323 OPS in his first 25 games with the Yankees from 1926-36 … In 48 career postseason games, Harper’s 1.018 OPS in 211 plate appearances ranks 5th all time (min. 150 PA), behind only Babe Ruth (1.211), Gehrig (1.208), George Brett (1.023) and Carlos Beltran (1.021) … Per FanGraphs, Harper is up to 2.54 Win Probability Added in the postseason which ranks 6th all time – he trails David Ortiz (3.22), Carlos Correa (3.09), Albert Pujols (2.73), Pete Rose (2.70) and Lance Berkman (2.70).
LEADING MAN: Kyle Schwarber ranks 2nd all-time in League Championship history with 12 home runs, trailing only Manny Ramirez (13) … Schwarber has played 11 NLCS games for the Phillies since last year – he is slashing .382/.553/1.118 with a 1.671 OPS in 47 plate appearances – he has 14 runs, 8 home runs, 9 RBI and 13 walks to 8 strikeouts in the NLCS for Philadelphia … Schwarber has hit 20 home runs in his career in the postseason which is the most by any left-handed hitter in MLB history (next: Reggie Jackson, 18 HR) … He ranks T-4th all-time in the postseason (with Derek Jeter) and trails Ramirez (29), Jose Altuve (27) and Bernie Williams (22) … Schwarber owns the record for most leadoff home runs in the postseason with 4.
OCTOBER’S VERY OWN: In his first 10 career postseason starts, Zack Wheeler has posted a 2.48 ERA (17 ER, 61.2 IP), a 0.73 WHIP (9 BB, 36 H) and held opponents to a .164/.211/.256 slash line (232 batters faced, .467 OPS) … Wheeler has allowed 3 ER or fewer in nine of 10 starts, 2 ER or fewer in eight of 10 and 1 ER or none in four of 10 – he has also allowed 1 walk or none in nine of 10 … Wheeler’s 0.73 WHIP and .211 opponents OBP both rank 1st among the 84 pitchers in MLB history who have thrown at least 60.0 IP in the postseason … His .467 opponents OPS ranks 2nd among that same group of 84 pitchers, behind only Mariano Rivera (.440) … His 2.48 ERA in the postseason ranks 14th all-time (min. 60 IP) and he is tied with STL’s Bob Gibson for 31st all-time in Win Probability Added among pitchers in the postseason at 1.68 … In 4 postseason starts this year, Wheeler has a 2.08 ERA (6 ER, 26.0 IP), 0.73 WHIP and 34 strikeouts to 2 walks.
CITIZENS BANK SPARK: The Phillies went 49-32 at CBP this season with a +83 run differential (418-335) that was their best mark at home since they were +114 at home in 2011 (367-253) … Of their 26 home series this season, the Phillies won 17 of them … Philadelphia’s 49 wins and .605 winning percentage were both tied for 3rd-best in CBP history (since 2004), behind only the 2010 club (54-30, .643) and the 2011 team (52-39, .642) … The Phillies reached 3,000,000 in attendance for the 9th time in the history of CBP and for the first time since 2013 … Philadelphia
saw their attendance increase by over 9,500 per game from a season ago which was the most of any club in MLB.
NLCS GAME 7 STARTER – RANGER SUÁREZ • LHP #55
2023: 4-6, 4.18 ERA Career: 29-21, 3.41 ERA
LAST START: 10/19 at ARI (NLCS G3): W, 5.1 IP, 3 H, 0 R, BB, 7 SO … Suárez vs Pfaadt … The Phillies fell to the Arizona Diamondbacks, 2-1, in Game 3 of the 2023 NLCS in Phoenix … Scoreless into the 7th, the Phillies scored first when Bryce Harper scurried home on a wild pitch to make it 1-0 Phils … Arizona answered in the bottom of the frame with a run as they tallied 3 straight hits off Orion Kerkering … José Alvarado was summoned with runners at the corners and 0 outs – he induced a double play and a comebacker to escape the jam – Alvarado went back out for the 8th and totaled 2.0 scoreless innings on only 15 pitches … In the 9th, Bryce Harper walked and stole 2nd base but was left stranded … In the bottom of the frame, Arizona eventually loaded the bases and scored a run on a single by Ketel Marte off Craig Kimbrel
TONIGHT’S START:
- Off on the Adventure: Ranger Suárez has pitched in 8 postseason games for the Phillies … They are 7-1 in those games and he has a 0.94 ERA in the postseason (3 ER, 28.2 IP) … Suárez has faced 112 batters in the playoffs and limited them to a .155/.223/.243 slash line (.466 OPS) … Over his last 6 appearances (since 2022 NLCS Game 5 vs SD), which includes 4 starts and 2 relief appearances, Suárez has allowed 1 run in 20.1 innings pitched (0.44 ERA) … Among the 367 pitchers in postseason history to throw 25.0 innings, Suárez’s 0.94 postseason ERA ranks 8th all-time (Sandy Koufax 9th at 0.95) … Suárez trails Dave Dravecky (0.35), Mariano Rivera (0.70), Harry Brecheen (0.83), Jeremy Affeldt (0.86), Babe Ruth (0.87), Sherry Smith (0.89) and Andrew Miller (0.93) … Among Phillies pitchers with at least 20.0 IP in the postseason, Suárez has the best ERA in franchise history (2nd: Brad Lidge, 1.77) … Suárez sent the Phillies to the World Series last year as he picked up the save in Game 5 of the NLCS against the Padres … Per FanGraphs, Suárez is up to 1.13 Win Probability Added in the postseason which ranks 3rd in franchise history among pitchers … He trails only Zack Wheeler (1.68 WPA) and 2008 World Series MVP Cole Hamels (1.20 WPA)
- Legend in the Making: In his first 3 starts this postseason, Suárez has posted a 0.64 ERA (ER, 14.0 IP) while allowing 7 hits, 1 walk and 13 strikeouts … He has held batters to a .143/.176/.245 slash line (.421 OPS) while posting a 0.64 WHIP … He has only allowed 10 base runners in his first 3 starts this postseason … He is 1 of 2 pitchers to allow 10 or fewer baserunners in their first 3 starts of a postseason in the Modern Era (other: Wade Miley, 7, 10/7-17/18) … With today’s start, Suárez will surpass Cliff Lee for the 3rd most starts by a left hander in Phillies postseason history … Ranger also has a career ERA of 0.82 (ER, 11.0 IP) in the NLCS
- Citizens Bank Spark: Ranger will be making his 5th postseason appearance at Citizens Bank Park (4th start) tonight … When pitching at home in the playoffs, Suárez has a 1.15 ERA (2 ER, 15.2 IP) … His home ERA is the best by any Phillie at CBP in the postseason (min. 10.0 IP)
- Postseason Hero: Suárez went 2-0 with a save and a 1.23 ERA (2 ER, 14.2 IP) and held opponents to a .167/.262/.241 slash line in 3 starts and 2 relief appearances during the 2022 pennant-winning run … That included a included a 0.79 ERA (1 ER, 11.1 IP) in the NLCS and WS … Suarez became the only Phillie ever with a win in a start and a save in relief in the same postseason, doing so all in one series (NLCS) – something no pitcher had done in an NLCS/WS since Madison Bumgarner in 2014 … His win came in a pivotal Game 3 of the NLCS and his save in the clinching Game 5, entering with 2 on and 1 out up by just 1 run … He pitched 5.0 shutout innings and allowed three hits in Game 3 of the WS, becoming the first Phillie ever to deliver at least 5.0 scoreless IP in a WS game … Suarez was the first international signee to make a postseason start for the Phillies • Pitch Usage: Sinker (28%), 4-Seam Fastball (21.5%), Curveball (19%), Changeup (18.4%), Cutter (12.5%), Slider (0.6%)
HOME:
- 2023: 1-3, 5.45 ERA (40 ER, 66.0 IP) in 12 starts
- Career: 15-9, 3.76 ERA (96 ER, 229.2 IP) in 67 games (35 starts)
- Postseason: 3-0, SV, 1.15 ERA (2 ER, 15.2 IP) in 4 games (3 starts)
SUÁREZ – POSTSEASON
W-L ERA G GS IP H R ER BB SO
2023: 1-0 0.64 3 3 14.0 7 1 1 2 13
Career: 3-0 0.94 6 6 28.2 16 4 3 8 26
2023 SEASON:
- Trouble With the Curve: Suárez threw his curveball 384 times in 125.0 IP this season after only throwing it 198 times in 155.1 IP last year … He held batters to a .143 average (12-84) with his curveball and struck out 35 batters with a whiff rate of 37.7% … Among NL pitchers (min. 50 PA), Suárez’s curveball ranked 5th in OPP AVG, 8th in strikeout % (39.8%) and 16th in whiff %
- Recorded a ground ball % of 48.5% and ground ball/fly ball rate of 1.58, both of which were 10th among all National League pitchers with at least 100.0 IP … Since 2021, his 54% ground ball % is 4th in MLB and 3rd in the NL … Since Fangraphs began tracking batted ball stats in 2002, Suarez’s career GB % of 53.9% ranks 1st among Phillies pitchers (min. 250 IP)
- On 9/10, Suárez took a no-hitter into the 7th inning and struck out a career-high 10 batters while only allowing 2 hits … It was his most strikeouts in a game since striking out 9 on 10/1/21
- Recorded a 5-game streak with at least 6 IP and 1 or no runs (6/4-27) … It was the 10th time a Phillies pitcher had done so and the first time since Cole Hamels in 2014
- Posted a 17.0-inning scoreless streak (6/9-20)
- Struck out at least 7 batters in a career-high four straight starts (6/9-27)
- On 8/13, Suárez struck out 8 batters for the third time this season … It is the first time in his career he has had 3 games with at least 8 strikeouts in a single season … The last Phillies lefty to have 3 such games in a single year was Drew Smyly in 2019
- Was the first international signee to make a postseason start for the Phillies and his three starts tied him with Pedro Martinez for most ever by a non-U.S.- born pitcher
