Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson confirmed that the team’s right-handed veteran starter, will get the nod for Game 3 of the National League Division Series instead of left-hander Ranger Suárez. This decision comes with the Phillies’ postseason hopes hanging by a thread, as they trail the Los Angeles Dodgers 2–0 in the best-of-five series.
Suárez, who posted an impressive 3.20 ERA over 26 regular-season starts, has been active in the bullpen for the first two games of the series but has yet to appear on the mound. Many expected him to take the ball for Game 3, given his consistency throughout the season and his past playoff success. However, Thomson and the Phillies’ coaching staff opted to turn to Aaron Nola, who has endured an injury-plagued and inconsistent 2025 campaign, finishing with a 6.01 ERA in 17 starts.
The move signals both a vote of confidence in Nola’s experience and an acknowledgment of the urgency of the moment. Philadelphia faces elimination, and Thomson is hoping the right-hander can deliver a strong outing to keep the team’s season alive. Meanwhile, Suárez remains available in relief, offering the Phillies a dependable option out of the bullpen should Nola struggle or the game tighten late.
It’s a high-stakes gamble for a Phillies team that has underperformed offensively and is desperate for stability on the mound. With their season on the brink, the outcome of this pitching decision could determine whether Philadelphia lives to fight another day—or sees its playoff run end in disappointment.