HOUSTON — It had been months since José Alvarado entered a game any earlier than the sixth inning. The last time he’d been asked to do so was late May—back when he was still mired in some early struggles, before he became one of the most dependable pitchers in this bullpen, even before Rob Thomson was named manager of the Phillies. (Alvarado’s last pre-sixth-inning appearance came in the final week before former skipper Joe Girardi was fired.) In other words: This version of Alvarado, playing for this version of the Phillies, had never, ever been asked to show up so early.
But October is different. So when Alvarado got the call in the fifth inning of Game 1 of the World Series: What on earth was he thinking?
“Nothing, man,” the lefty said, grinning. “When the game starts, I say all the time, I’m ready. If you need me, I’m ready.”
