The first-place Philadelphia Phillies are sending a handful of players to the All-Star game this month, but one of those players has doubts that he’ll be selected.
Philadelphia lost 5-1 to the Atlanta Braves on Saturday night but still maintain a nine-game lead over Atlanta in the National League East, a cushion that has Phillies fans and broadcasters alike full of boastful energy.
After Saturday’s loss, Phillies starter Ranger Suárez expressed his frustration over having allowing five earned runs and two home runs in five innings pitched.
Suárez is in a bit of a funk, as he’s now allowed 11 earned runs in his last two starts after having allowed just 20 earned runs over his first 16 starts of the season.
Despite the momentary lapse, Suárez’ excellent body of work this year has given him a 10-3 record, 2.58 ERA, and surefire entry into Major League Baseball’s 94th All-Star Game on July 16.
When asked on Saturday night about the chance to play in his first All-Star game, however, Suárez expressed doubts that he’ll get that chance.
“After these couple of outings, I don’t think so right now,” Suárez said, per The Athletic’s Matt Gelb.
It’s possible that Suárez’ answer was venturing into tongue-and-cheek territory, or maybe the 28-year-old lefty was just trying to motivate himself to break out of his rough stretch.
Suárez’ notion that two bad starts have undone his 16 other elite performances in 2024 hints at an obsessive perfectionism that makes pitchers great.
With Phillies manager Rob Thomson suggesting that rest during the All-Star break will benefit Suárez, no one expects that Suárez’ struggles will continue for much longer.
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