During a recent game against the Mets, Bryce Harper rallied the Phillies dugout, urging them to secure a win for starting pitcher Ranger Suárez. Despite battling through tough conditions, Suárez managed to limit the Mets to two unearned runs through five innings. Eventually, Harper himself drove in two crucial runs with a double, contributing to a four-run fifth inning that led to a 10-5 victory for the Phillies.
Suárez’s performance wasn’t flawless, but it showcased his ability to secure wins, bringing his total to eight this season, the highest in MLB. This achievement marks him as the first Phillies pitcher ever to win eight of his first nine starts in a season.
While individual pitcher wins are often viewed with skepticism in modern baseball, they still hold significance as a measure of consistency. A high win total indicates a pitcher’s ability to consistently provide quality innings, a trait increasingly rare in today’s game.
Since 2000, only four pitchers besides Suárez have won eight of their first nine starts and gone on to achieve 20-win seasons. However, there have been instances where strong starts didn’t translate into sustained success, such as injuries derailing a pitcher’s momentum or a decline in performance in the latter part of the season.
The Phillies are hopeful that Suárez can reach the 20-win mark, not just for accolades like the Cy Young Award, but as a testament to his health and consistency throughout the season. However, Suárez’s history of injuries and limited starts in previous seasons pose a challenge to this goal.
Manager Rob Thomson is cautious about pushing Suárez too hard too soon, prioritizing his long-term health over short-term success. Suárez himself emphasizes the importance of staying healthy throughout the season.
While Harper refrains from speculating on Suárez’s potential for reaching 20 wins, the Phillies can’t help but entertain the possibility given Suárez’s impressive 1.37 ERA through nine starts, the lowest by a Phillies pitcher since 1912.
Despite the cautious approach from the team, there’s excitement about the prospect of a standout season from Suárez, with Harper emphasizing the crucial role of pitching in championship aspirations.
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