Noah Syndergaard will start Game 4 for the Phillies on Saturday as they try to close out the Atlanta Braves in the best-of-five National League Division Series. If the Phillies win on Saturday, they will head to California to face either the San Diego Padres or the Los Angeles Dodgers in the best-of-seven National League Championship Series. A loss sends them back to Atlanta on Sunday for Game 5.
After their 9-1 win over the Braves in Game 3 on Friday, Phillies manager Rob Thomson wouldn’t specify how Syndergaard would be used or whether he will be on some sort of limit.
Syndergaard has been used in a variety of roles over the past few weeks. He was acquired by the Phillies at the trade deadline with the intention of working out of the rotation. But he was used out of the bullpen on Sept. 21 against the Blue Jays as a piggyback to Zack Wheeler, who was coming off the injured list. Syndergaard also worked in relief in Game 2 against the Braves, pitching a scoreless eighth inning with one walk, one strikeout, and two flyouts.
He is 5-2 with a 4.12 ERA over 10 regular-season games (and nine starts) for the Phillies this season.
The Phillies have plenty of relievers at their disposal should things go awry on Saturday. Because of their eight-run lead on Friday, Thomson didn’t need to use Seranthony Domínguez, Zach Eflin, or Andrew Bellatti, which should set them up well for Game 4.
Phils fans celebrate after a 9-1 Game 3 win over the Atlanta Braves at Citizens Bank Park in Phila., Pa. Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Phillies Edmundo Sosa smiles after throwing to first for an out in the eighth inning of Game 3 of baseball's National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves, in Philadelphia.Read moreJose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer
Siblings Nicholas Feudale, right, and Madison Feudale from Berwick Pa. cheer as the Phils score runs in the seventh inning in Game 3 of the National League Division Series at Citizens Bank Park in Phila., Pa.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Phillies right fielder Nick Castellanos hits a two RBI single in the seventh inning of Game 3 of baseball's National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves, in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Bryce Harper gestures to the crowd after hitting an RBI seventh inning double in Game 3 of baseball's National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves, in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Phillies relief pitcher Jose Alvarado pitches in the seventh inning of Game 3 of baseball's National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves, in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Jean Segura forces out Atlanta Braves first baseman Matt Olson at second base in Game 3 of baseball's National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves, in Philadelphia. The throw was dropped at first and Phillies did not get the double play.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Phillies Aaron Nola throws during the fourth inning of Game 3 of baseball's National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves, in Philadelphia.Read moreJose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Phillies fans cheers for starting pitcher, Aaron Nola, during the fourth inning of Game 3 of baseball's National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves, in Philadelphia.Read moreJose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Phillies second baseman Jean Segura makes it back to second base safely against Atlanta Braves second baseman Vaughn Grissom in the fourth inning of Game 3 of baseball's National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves, in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Phillies Bryce Harper is congratulated by J.T. Realmuto after a solo home run in the the third inning of Game 3 of baseball's National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves, Friday, in Philadelphia.Read moreJose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer
Nick Dichristofaro of Levittown reacts during the Phils 6 run third inning during the Atlanta Braves vs. Phila. Phillies in Game 3 of the National League Division Series at Citizens Bank Park in Phila., Pa. Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
Fans react during the Phils 6 run third inning during the Atlanta Braves vs. Phila. Phillies in Game 3 of the National League Division Series at Citizens Bank Park in Phila., Pa.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Phillies center fielder Brandon Marsh celebrates scoring in the third inning with Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins in Game 3 of baseball's National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves, in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins celebrates after scoring a three run home run in the third inning of Game 3 of baseball's National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves, in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Phillies Rhys Hoskins, left, celebrates with Kyle Schwarber after a 3 run home run during the 3rd inning of Game 3 of baseball's National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves, in Philadelphia.Read moreJose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Bryce Harper celebrates with Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto after hitting a two run home run in the third inning of Game 3 of baseball's National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves, Friday, in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Phillies Brandon Marsh steals third base after a wild throw to first base in the third inning of Game 3 of baseball's National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves, in Philadelphia.Read moreJose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins celebrates in the dugout after scoring a three run home run in the third inning of Game 3 of baseball's National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves, in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Phillies Rhys Hoskins is congratulated by Jean Segura, right, after a three run home run during the third inning of Game 3 of baseball's National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves, in Philadelphia.Read moreJose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins, right, celebrates his three run home run with Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Bryson Stott, after scoring a three run home run in the third inning of Game 3 of baseball's National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves, in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Rhys Hoskins throws his bat after scoring a three run home run in the third inning of Game 3 of baseball's National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves, in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Phillies Rhys Hoskins runs the bases after hitting a 3 run home run during the 3rd inning of Game 3 of baseball's National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves, in Philadelphia.Read moreJose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Phillies Rhys Hoskins celebrates after hitting a 3 run home run during the 3rd inning of Game 3 of baseball's National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves, in Philadelphia.Read moreJose F. Moreno / Staff Photographer
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Aaron Nola pitches in the first inning of Game 3 of baseball's National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves, in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Shane Victorino acknowledges the fans before throwing out the first pitch before Game 3 of baseball's National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves, in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
Shane Victorino throws out the first pitch before Game 3 of baseball's National League Division Series against the Atlanta Braves, in Philadelphia.Read moreYong Kim / Staff Photographer
(L-R) Cole Thompson, 10, his mother Laura Thompson and 11 year old Gavin Thompson of Atco wave their rally towels prior to the National Anthem and the start of the Atlanta Braves vs. Phila. Phillies in Game 3 of the National League Division Series at Citizens Bank Park in Phila., Pa.Read moreElizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
Veteran right-hander Kyle Gibson, who has some postseason experience, and lefty Bailey Falter, who filled in for Wheeler during his time on the injured list, were also considerations. Gibson posted a 2.30 ERA in August but fell apart in September, allowing 24 earned runs in 22⅔ innings. Falter stepped up in Wheeler’s absence, but had his worst start of the season against the Braves on Sept. 24, allowing 10 hits and six earned runs in 3⅔ innings.
Syndergaard’s one inning in Game 2 was the only time he’s faced the Braves this season. He’s faced them in 10 regular-season games in his career, posting a 3.96 ERA over those starts. He has a 2.33 ERA across 27 career postseason innings.
