If there is a Game 7, Aaron Nola Could Start

Aaron Nola will start Game 7 IF Ranger Suarez is needed in relief for Game 6:

Zack Wheeler, bothered my arm fatigue, was fine in his bullpen session on Thursday and will still start in Game 6 but #Phillies manager Rob Thomson said that Ranger Suarez will be available in relief, pitching Aaron Nola if there’s a Game 7.

— Bob Nightengale (@BNightengale) November 4, 2022

With Zack Wheeler experiencing fatigue and the way Rob Thomson has been handling him, you’d think if all goes well he gets between 75-85 pitches. After last night and one day’s rest, everyone is on the table for Game 6 other than maybe Connor Brogdon, who went two innings. I know you have to win Game 6 to get to 7, but I’m doing everything in my power not to throw Ranger in Game 6. I feel better with Ranger starting Game 7, on the road, where he’s fared better than Nola. If someone would’ve said that to you exactly a month ago you would’ve slapped the shit out of them. But Ranger just feels like a dude who never lets the moment get too big for him. He’s started games, he’s come on in relief, and he even saved Game 5 of the NLCS.

Fun fact: the Phillies haven’t lost a game this postseason Ranger Suarez has pitched in. Give me a combo of Ranger for five innings and Aaron Nola in relief. I think the majority of Phillies fans would take that especially when Nola will be on a pitch count:

Zack Wheeler pitched last Saturday in Houston and went four days before throwing a bullpen Thursday. He will start Game 6, but Ranger Suárez is available, according to Rob Thomson. If Suárez pitches, Aaron Nola would start G7, albeit "prob not on a full pitch count," Thomson said

— Scott Lauber (@ScottLauber) November 4, 2022

UPDATE: I should be a fucking manager:

To be clear, the #Phillies‘ preference is to avoid Ranger Suárez in Game 6 and have him ready to start a Game 7 on regular rest.

— Scott Lauber (@ScottLauber) November 4, 2022