PHILADELPHIA — Zack Wheeler’s original plan Monday was to watch a game, rest his right arm, perhaps enjoy a sip of champagne and prepare for a Friday night start in the World Series.
Instead, there he was after the Phillies’ 5-1 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks in Game 6 of the NLCS, ready to go home and rest up for Tuesday and a night’s work.
Though Ranger Suarez have the start in Game 7 at 8:07 Tuesday, Wheeler will be among many encamped in the bullpen ready to help relief-pitch the Phillies into the World Series.
“I would think so,” Rob Thomson said. “It’s going to be all hands on deck. Everybody but Aaron Nola.”
Nola, a looming free agent, started and threw 82 pitches Monday in what could have been his final Citizens Bank Park appearance as a Phillie.
Two nights earlier, in a 6-1 triumph at Arizona, Wheeler threw 99 pitches in seven innings. Wednesday, however, would be his usual “bullpen” day, when he would typically throw anywhere from 15 to 40 game-speed pitches in between starts.
With the Phillies in lose-or-perish straits, he will save those throws for the game if needed.
“I haven’t done it before and we will have to have that conversation,” Wheeler said in a dry and quiet Phillies clubhouse. “But normally I would throw in the bullpen tomorrow, and ‘bullpens’ are usually a good day for me for some reason. So if he asks me to do it, I will be ready to do it, for sure.”
While Wheeler will be willing, Thomson is confident that Suarez – renowned for his refusal to be rattled – will be ready for the moment.
“Yeah, I don’t think he’ll be too nervous out there,” the manager said. “He’s a cool customer. He’ll go out there and pitch his game.”
Over his three starts in this postseason, Suarez has allowed one earned run in a combined 14 innings. He will be opposed Tuesday by right-hander Brandon Pfaadt, who allowed two hits in 5.2 innings of Arizona’s 2-1, Game 3 victory.
“I thought he threw a really good game the other day,” Bryce Harper said. “We just have to get around the plate and do our damage where we can.”
Thomson used Nola, Michael Lorenzen, Orion Kerkering, Craig Kimbrel and Gregory Soto Monday, which could limit his Tuesday bullpen selections. But Wheeler – who has been in 237 career games, all as a starter – will be available.
“I usually have pretty good stuff down there in my bullpen days,” Wheeler said. “I will be ready.”
Source: Berkshire mont