The Philadelphia Phillies are set to play against their former pitcher Ranger Suarez for the first time on Thursday night, according to a May 13 announcement. Suarez, who spent 14 years with the Phillies after signing at age 16 in 2012, joined the Boston Red Sox this season under a five-year, $130 million contract.
This matchup is significant because most of the current Phillies roster has played behind Suarez but never faced him as an opponent. Only Trea Turner, Kyle Schwarber, and Adolis GarcÃa have previously batted against him. Turner is the only one among them with hits off Suarez from his earlier stints with other teams.
Turner said, “Actually, I don’t. It’s funny because I usually remember all my at-bats, and some of us were talking about how we might face Ranger, and I was like, ‘I remember facing Sanchie — I think it was his debut — but I don’t remember facing Ranger.'” He later added surprise upon learning he had ten career at-bats against Suarez: “And then I find out I have 10 at-bats off him? So, that’s probably not good.” Turner got hits in their early matchups but struck out in their last meeting on May 20, 2022.
Catcher J.T. Realmuto commented on what it will be like facing a pitcher he knows so well: “It’s hard,” Realmuto said. “You can’t really overthink it and try to guess what he’s going to do because he’s probably not going to do what I think he might. So the last thing I want to do is go up there and try to think about what he’s gonna throw me.” Realmuto also reflected on their shared history: “It’s definitely weird facing guys that you’ve caught before… you just try to see the ball and hit it really.” The two celebrated together after clinching the National League pennant in 2022.
Turner acknowledged that playing against friends can feel odd but intends to stay competitive: “Just try to beat them,” Turner said. “And talk a little smack.”
The Philadelphia Phillies serve as Major League Baseball’s representative team for Philadelphia and engage fans through games and community outreach efforts; they play home games at Citizens Bank Park and are charter members of MLB’s National League according to the official website.
