Apr 27, 2024; San Diego, California, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Ranger Suarez (55) reacts after a home run hit by San Diego Padres third baseman Eguy Rosario (not pictured) during the eighth inning at Petco Park. Mandatory Credit: Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports
Ranger Suarez knows that the pitcher he was in the second half of the year is not who is normally.
He also knows that pitcher he's been the past two Octobers is who is, only in superhero form.
One is one extreme, while the other is the polar opposite - and Suarez believes he can transition from one to the other without making any stops along the way.
He's riding the express train, baby. There's no time for the points in between. It's all about October, and in case you forgot, Ranger and October are fun bedfellows.
In honor of Ranger Suarez getting the start tonight ⚾️❤️ Some might say he’s dancing on his own 🤣#phillies #redoctober #baseball #philly #mlb #postseason #dancingonmyown pic.twitter.com/26T0eq9r0S
— Alicia Roberts | CBS Philly Reporter (@ARobertsCBS) October 19, 2023
So, when he was asked about how his season finished and how he can feel better about himself now to start a Game 4 that will be an elimination game for one of the two teams, Suarez decided to answer like he just returned from a Las Vegas tourism marketing meeting.
"What happens in September stays in September," Suarez said through an interpreter. "It's time to turn the page and forget about it. I'm not thinking about it as much as we are in October now. It's a different atmosphere It's different vibes as well. We're thinking about them now and not getting stuck in those bad starts. You know, October vibes. It's just, I feel good physically and, you know, that's all I'm thinking right now."
Groovy.
It's understandable why he wants to distance himself from September Ranger and embrace October Ranger.
September Ranger made five starts. He lasted all of 22 innings. The longest outing was 5 1/3 innings. He compiled a 6.04 ERA in those starts. Opposing hitters mashed against him with a .330 batting average and a .913 OPS. Watching him pitch in those starts took a lot of antacid.
But October Ranger? Now that's eye candy.
Suarez has made nine postseason appearances - seven starts and two relief outings - since 2022. In those nine games he has a 1.62 ERA and a 0.900 WHIP. Opponents are hitting just .180 against him for a .491 OPS.
It's swell and all to fawn over that version of Ranger, but can he really just flip the switch from the ugliness of September to the beauty of October?
He thinks he can.
Suarez said he made an adjustment since his last start in Washington on the final weekend of the regular season. He is back to pitching more with his legs. As you all know, if you've ever seen the movie Miracle, the legs feed the wolf.
"It was mostly working on my legs during my wind up and mechanics," he said. "I think I had to stay a little tighter and a little closer to my body with my legs and I think that to get a better angle when I was throwing the ball. I felt really good after and I executed that day and I feel good about it."
That day was the intrasquad game last Wednesday. Suarez threw two innings and by all reports, looked good doing so. There is a real belief that he's back to being the guy everyone is hoping he should be in October.
"His velocity was back up and the command was really good," manager Rob Thomson said. "I haven't seen command like that since he's come back from the injury. I know it was just an intrasquad game, but his calmness helps him out a great deal and that's what gives me great confidence in him."
The whole city would like to believe the manager. They'll find out if they can on Wednesday afternoon.
