Right-hander Aaron Nola was just two outs away from achieving a significant milestone for starting pitchers in Sunday’s regular-season finale. However, he exited the game after a leadoff triple in the sixth inning. On the other hand, Philadelphia’s ace, Zack Wheeler, reached 200 total innings pitched for the regular season in his final start on Saturday by tossing 6 1/3 innings. The Phillies gave Nola a chance to match this achievement.
Unfortunately, center fielder Brandon Marsh’s misplay of the triple in the sixth inning led to Nola’s departure. Despite this, Nola put up a solid performance, throwing five innings of three-run ball in a 6-3 victory over Washington at Nationals Park. His regular season ended with 199 1/3 innings pitched.
While Nola fell short of reaching 200 innings alongside Wheeler, his consistent performance throughout the season cannot go unnoticed. He and Wheeler have been the backbone of the Phillies’ pitching rotation, consistently coming close to the 200-inning mark each year.
Wheeler finished the season with a remarkable 2.57 ERA in 32 starts, leading the National League in WHIP at 0.955. He is a strong contender for the NL Cy Young Award. On the other hand, Nola, the longest-tenured Phillie on the roster, posted a solid 3.61 ERA in 33 starts.
Since Wheeler joined the Phillies in 2020, he and Nola have been the top two pitchers in terms of innings pitched in the majors. Their durability and consistency are invaluable assets to the team, especially as they head into the postseason once again.
Both Wheeler and Nola overcame significant early-career setbacks to emerge as workhorses for the Phillies. Their ability to handle volume and deliver quality innings sets them apart in an era of baseball where starting pitchers rarely go deep into games.
As the Phillies gear up for the playoffs, Wheeler and Nola will play crucial roles in leading the team’s rotation. With their reliability and experience, they provide the stability needed for postseason success.
As Philadelphia enters the NL Division Series, Wheeler will take the mound in Game 1, with Nola or Cristopher Sánchez starting Game 2. Ranger Suárez is set to pitch a potential Game 4, although his recent struggles may warrant a short leash.
With Wheeler and Nola leading the way, the Phillies are well-positioned to make a deep playoff run. Their ability to eat innings and keep the bullpen fresh will be critical in the postseason.
Wheeler and Nola’s throwback mentality to starting pitching sets them apart in today’s game, making them invaluable assets to the Phillies as they chase a World Series title.