Philadelphia Phillies starting rotation for 2022: What we can expect
By Tim Boyle
Phillies number three starter Ranger Suarez is a wild card
Imagine if Ranger Suarez is the real deal. The Phillies then suddenly have the potential to have one of the best threesomes at the top of their rotation.
It’s all a big “if” at the moment with a couple of the names. Suarez has one of the biggest ifs of all. Last season was his first time getting significant playing time. In his 106 innings split as a starter and reliever, he was 8-5 with a 1.36 ERA.
It didn’t matter whether he was starting games or coming out of the bullpen for Philadelphia in 2021. Suarez was money. His 12 starts included a 3-2 record and 1.51 ERA. As a reliever, he was dominant. Suarez went 5-3 with a 1.12 ERA in this role.
There’s a little bit of shame factor knowing the Phillies can’t use Suarez as a high-leverage reliever. Their bullpen could use a guy like him. So could the rotation.
Suarez is expected—and should—have a spot in the rotation this season. He did enough to prove himself. And even if the bullpen may have a vacant spot, I would rather see him get the team through the first five or six innings than only get a frame or two each appearance. The Phillies need quality innings out of Suarez. Whether they come early or late, the important thing is that he’s anything close to what he was last year.