Ranger Suárez DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson announced on Monday that left-hander Ranger Suarez will start Game 4 of the National League Division Series against the division-rival New York Mets on Wednesday at Citi Field. Suarez was among the best pitchers in baseball in the first half of the season, but the second half wasn't as kind with him as he dealt with a back injury and wasn't as effective down the stretch. It makes the 29-year-old southpaw a bit more risky in DFS action this week on the road at Citi Field. The Venezuelan hurler faced the Mets three times this year, with two of his outings against them coming in the first half, when he allowed a combined four runs (two earned) in 10 2/3 innings while walking three and striking out nine. In his last start against the Mets on Sept. 21 at Citi Field, Suarez picked up a no-decision, allowing two earned runs in five innings while walking three and striking out four. He had a 5.74 ERA with 29 K's and 14 walks in his final seven starts.

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Ranger Suarez has been one of the biggest surprises of the 2024 campaign. The 29-year-old was a solid middle-of-the-rotation option before this season, but he has shown he's capable of being an ace pitcher. On Thursday, Suarez threw five scoreless innings, allowing three hits, and striking out four in the win. The left-hander has struggled at times during the second half of the season, but this was a promising outing. He'll look to keep the good times rolling against the Tampa Bay Rays during his next time out.

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Ranger Suarez (back) is scheduled to come off the injured list on Saturday. The left-hander will take the ball against the Kansas City Royals after missing a few weeks due to lower-back soreness. The 28-year-old is in the middle of a breakout campaign, so his return is a welcomed sight for Philly. This season, Suarez holds a 2.87 ERA, 1.06 WHIP, and a 116/27 K/BB across 20 starts with the Phillies. He'll get a tough matchup against Kansas City, but fantasy managers should activate Suarez and consider him a must-start option.

Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Ranger Suarez (back) threw a simulated game on Tuesday and will face live hitters again on Sunday, either in another simulated game or at Triple-A Lehigh Valley for a minor-league rehab start. It puts Suarez in line to pitch sometime during the team's series against the Kansas City Royals from Aug. 23-25. The 28-year-old All-Star has been away from the Phillies since going on the injured list in late July with lower-back soreness, but he's nearing his return to the starting rotation. Suarez didn't quite look like himself in his last couple of starts, but hopefully with his back issues behind him, he can return to the lights-out pitcher he was earlier this season for the stretch run. The Venezuelan southpaw needs to be stashed in all fantasy leagues. He was a first-time All-Star and has gone 10-5 in 2024 with a 2.87 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 116 K's in 119 1/3 innings.

Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Ranger Suarez (back) threw off the mound on Sunday in Arizona ahead of the series finale against the Diamondbacks. It follows his two-inning simulated game on Thursday, when he threw 36 pitches, and he's expected to toss an extended live batting practice session on Tuesday. Suarez's return date has not yet been determined, but manager Rob Thomson said that it will likely come after Philadelphia's six-game homestand that runs from Tuesday through Sunday. The 28-year-old first-time All-Star is working his way back from lower-back soreness, and it sounds like a minor-league rehab start might be necessary here as well. Over 119 1/3 innings for the Phillies this year, Suarez holds an excellent 2.87 ERA and 1.06 WHIP with 116 strikeouts and 27 walks.