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By Nelson Espinal
Contributing Sports Reporter
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Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson announced that right-hander Aaron Nola will start Game 3 of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Lefty Ranger Suarez is expected to piggyback off Nola's start, a surprising decision given how good Suarez has been all season long.
The Phillies are facing an elimination game on Wednesday at Dodger Stadium after dropping two home games. The Phillies got strong starts from Cristopher Sanchez and Jesus Luzardo, but the bullpen failed to keep them in the game.
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According to Thomson, Suarez is not injured, but instead he is trusting the veteran Nola for the pivotal start.
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"Nola has never pitched out of the pen, so how long he goes I don't know, but I trust him," Thomson said in his postgame press conference.
Before Monday's game, Thomson said that everyone other than Cristopher Sanchez would be available out of the bullpen, though neither Suarez nor Nola ended up coming into the game.
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“I think we'll probably have everybody available, really, other than Sanchy," Thomson said before the game.
"And then we'll figure out Game 3 if we use everybody. But I would think, if we were going to use some sort of — I'm talking about Ranger and Nola being available — probably only use one of those guys, unless we absolutely had to, just so that the other guy can start Game 3.”
Nola made 17 starts this season, throwing 94.1 innings and putting up a 6.01 ERA. During his career in the postseason, he has appeared in 10 games, posting a 4.02 ERA over 53.2 innings.
After the regular season, Nola said he was willing to do anything that the team needed, including pitching out of the 'pen.
“I’ll do whatever, man,” Nola said. “I’ll do whatever to help the guys win, man. Everybody pulls the same in here. We want to get back to the World Series and win it.”
He will be in his comfort zone on Wednesday, starting the game, and will look to take down some innings if he performs well in the must-win game.
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