Oct 31, 2022; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson speaks at a press conference before game three of the 2022 World Series against the Houston Astros at Citizens Bank Park Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports

Phillies manager Rob Thomson gives World Series rotation update ahead of must-win Game 6

By Victor Barbosa | Last updated 11/4/22

Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson laid out his starting pitching plans for the remainder of the World Series on Friday.

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

After the Phillies earned a dramatic series-opening victory one week ago, Wheeler got the nod in Game 2 in Houston, but struggled to the tune of five runs allowed (four earned) on six hits with three walks and three strikeouts over five innings in a loss. Back home for Game 3, Philadelphia smacked a record-tying five home runs in a rout, before getting no-hit in Game 4 to draw the series at a 2-2 tie.

A classic Game 5 on Thursday night went the way of the Astros and now Wheeler will be on the bump for a must-win Game 6 back at Minute Maid Park on Saturday night.

Suarez made only one appearance over the first two rounds of the playoffs this fall, before earning two outings in the NLCS (one start) against the San Diego Padres. The lefty has pitched in two World Series games thus far, facing three batters and retiring two of them in Game 1 out of the bullpen and then capturing the win as a starter in Game 3 after hurling five shutout frames and allowing just three hits.

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