It’s possible Aaron Nola could pitch out of the bullpen in Game 6

HOUSTON — The Phillies are facing elimination for the first time this postseason.

Rob Thomson said the players were “pretty loose” on the plane ride to Houston and in the clubhouse prior to Game 6, but once 7:03 p.m. CT rolls around, Minute Maid Park will be rocking and the Phillies will be fighting to keep their season alive.

Zack Wheeler will start tonight, but it’s an all hands on deck situation. If Wheeler is facing the Astros lineup a third time through, it means that the Phillies are up big and he’s pitching relatively well. Otherwise, expect a relatively short leash for the Phillies ace.

We know Ranger Suárez will be available to take on the tough lefties in the middle of the Astros order and it’s possible Aaron Nola will be an option for an inning. Thomson said he has to check in with the Phillies righty before he knows for sure Nola could be available. He threw 67 pitches on Wednesday in a Game 4 loss to the Astros.

It would mark the first time in his career Nola has pitched out of the bullpen.

If Nola is not used on Saturday and the Phillies pull off an upset, it’s possible he could start Game 7 on short rest.

Wheeler allowed three extra base hits on his first four pitches in a 5-2 Phillies loss last Saturday in Game 2. His fastball velocity dipped down to as low as 93 mph in that start, but Wheeler says he’s feeling fine after throwing a bullpen session on Thursday.

“He looked fine. He turned it up,” Thomson said on Wheeler’s bullpen. “Everything was good. He’s ready to go.”

Wheeler entered the World Series with a 1.76 ERA through his first four career postseason starts. Fatigue played a role in Wheeler’s last outing, but we’ll see if he can recapture any of the magic he had at the beginning of the Phillies’ playoff run.

Every arm is available out of the bullpen following the travel day and if you thought Thomson was aggressive in his managing style after the Game 1 comeback against Justin Verlander, wait until you see what could happen with the season on the line.

Notes

• The Astros removed first baseman Yuli Gurriel from the postseason roster. He injured his right knee during a rundown between third base and home in the top of seventh inning in Game 5. Catcher Korey Lee replaces him on the roster. Trey Mancini, who made a timely stop Thursday on a sharp ground ball from Kyle Schwarber to get the final out in the bottom of the eighth, replaces him in the starting lineup at first base. Christian Vazquez will DH and Yordan Alvarez will play left field.
• Thomson was asked if he considered any lineup changes prior to Game 5. With the lefty Framber Valdez on the mound, Thomson decided to keep J.T. Realmuto in the No. 3 spot. Nick Castellanos will continue to hit behind Bryce Harper. ” … Just leave it alone and don’t overthink it,” Thomson said.
• Astros pitching coach Josh Miller said Cristian Javier, who threw six shutout innings in Game 4 as part of the Astros’ combined no-hitter, is probably not available out of the bullpen for Game 6. Like Nola, it’s possible Javier could start a potential Game 7 on short rest.

Here are the lineups for Game 6 of the 2022 World Series.

Astros

1. Jose Altuve, second base
2. Jeremy Peña, shortstop
3. Yordan Alvarez, left field
4. Alex Bregman, third base
5. Kyle Tucker, right field
6. Christian Vazquez, designated hitter
7. Trey Mancini, first base
8. Chas McCormick, center field
9. Martín Maldonado, catcher

Phillies

1. Kyle Schwarber, left field
2. Rhys Hoskins, first base
3. J.T. Realmuto, catcher
4. Bryce Harper, designated hitter
5. Nick Castellanos, right field
6. Alec Bohm, third base
7. Jean Segura, second base
8. Matt Vierling, center field
9. Edmundo Sosa, shortstop

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