With every performance like this, the price tags of two of the Phillies’ three most important free-agents-to-be continue to increase.
Ranger Suarez made a seventh straight excellent start, beating the Blue Jays with seven scoreless innings and walking off the mound at Citizens Bank Park to a standing ovation.
Since May 10, Suarez is 5-1 with a 1.16 ERA. His average start over that span has been less than one run over seven innings on an efficient 96 pitches.
“When he puts somebody on, it seems like he gets the double play every time. Weak contact, just vintage Ranger,” Trea Turner said.
Kyle Schwarber homered for a second straight game, changing the night with one swing in the bottom of the second. It was his 22nd of the season and one of his most impactful as 17 have been solos. This one was a three-run shot.
Suarez and Schwarber are both in their walk years. Suarez hired agent Scott Boras in December, so it’s unlikely he’ll give the Phillies a hometown discount. This is his primary chance for a payday that will affect future generations of the Suarez family and it makes sense to maximize every dollar.
The 29-year-old lefty has a 2.32 ERA through eight starts. If he can maintain anything close to this level of production over a full season, he could be looking at a contract approaching or exceeding $100 million, given the scarcity of high-level starting pitching and his resume in both the regular season and playoffs. The deepest part of the Phillies’ roster is their rotation and they have other needs, so Suarez seems at best 50-50 to return in free agency.
“It’s just sneaky, it’s all about deception, it’s not necessarily velo,” Turner said of what makes Suarez so successful. “Deceptive with multiple pitches, different arm angles. He’s tough on lefties and righties, which is a big deal. Changes speeds, throws anything in any count, really just a true pitcher.
“There’s some guys who throw 100 (mph) and you see the ball good and some guys who throw 90 and you don’t see the ball well. You watch on TV and it doesn’t make sense. He’s just one of those guys where everything looks the same out of his hand, it takes you a little longer to pick things up and by the time you make your decision, it’s too late.”
This is the fourth straight year he’s put together at least one spectacular run. He’s done it early, he’s done it late, Suarez just hasn’t done it for a full season. He’s never been more…