Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Fans season-high 12 in win
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Wheeler (4-4) picked up the win in Saturday's 2-1 victory over Atlanta, scattering three hits and a walk over eight scoreless innings. He struck out 12.
It was the most dominant performance of 2023 for the veteran right-hander; the innings and strikeouts were both season highs, and Wheeler generated 22 swinging strikes among his 106 pitches. It was his sixth quality start of the year, including three in his last four outings -- a stretch in which he's posted a 2.67 ERA, 1.00 WHIP and 30:4 K:BB through 27 innings. Wheeler will look to stay locked in for his next start, which is likely to come on the road next weekend against the Nationals.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Yields four runs in loss
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Wheeler (3-4) allowed four runs (three earned) on eight hits and a walk over six innings Monday, striking out three and taking a loss against Arizona.
Most of the damage against Wheeler came in the second inning on Lourdes Gurriel's solo homer and Geraldo Perdomo's two-run double. Pavin Smith later knocked a solo shot in the fifth. Wheeler is now 0-3 over his last four starts and has given up at least four runs in three of those. His season ERA is up to 4.11 with a 64:14 K:BB through 57 innings. Wheeler is projected to start in Atlanta this weekend.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Strikes out eight in loss
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Wheeler (3-3) allowed four runs on nine hits and a walk while striking out eight over six innings, taking the loss Tuesday versus the Giants.
Wheeler gave up a pair of runs in each of the third and fourth innings, and the Phillies couldn't cover the damage. His eight strikeouts marked his second-best total of the season, but he's now gone three starts without a win. The right-hander now has a 4.06 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 61:13 K:BB through 51 innings across nine starts this season. He's projected for a home start versus the Cubs this weekend if the Phillies opt to utilize a four-man rotation to close out the week with an off day Thursday.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Strikes out seven in no-decision
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Wheeler did not factor into the decision Wednesday, allowing one run on three hits and one walk over seven innings during a 2-1 win over the Blue Jays. He struck out seven.
Aside from a solo home run by Brandon Belt in the fifth, Wheeler was sharp through a season-high seven innings and struck out at least seven batters for the fourth time this year. Belt's long ball was the first allowed by the right-hander since his first start of the season, but Wednesday's performance was still a great bounce-back effort for Wheeler, who got touched up by the Red Sox last time out. Through eight appearances (45 innings), Wheeler sports a 3.80 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 53:12 K:BB, and he'll look to make it back-to-back quality starts next time out, which tentatively lines up to come during a three-game set in San Francisco early next week.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Can't get through sixth
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Wheeler (3-2) took the loss Friday, allowing five runs (four earned) on seven hits over 5.1 innings during a 5-3 loss to the Red Sox. He struck out five and did not walk a batter.
Wheeler tied his season high with four earned runs allowed and plunked a batter for a fourth straight appearance. Despite a few sharp outings, the right-hander's overall start to the campaign has left fantasy managers wanting more. He's posted an ERA lower than 3.00 in each of his past three seasons, but he currently sports a 4.26 ERA through 38 innings. Despite the inflated ERA, Wheeler's 46:11 K:BB remains elite and provides optimism that he can turn the corner soon.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Blanks Astros
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Wheeler (3-1) earned the win Saturday, allowing three hits and one walk over six scoreless innings against the Astros. He struck out seven.
Wheeler looked the part of an ace Saturday, holding Houston scoreless in six innings while fanning seven and not allowing a single baserunner to reach third base. The 33-year-old appears to be turning the corner after a rough start to 2023, striking out 18 and giving up three runs on six hits over his last 12 innings of work after tallying a 4.69 ERA and 23 hits while failing to pick up a win during his first four starts (20.2 innings). Considering Wheeler's long track record of fantasy excellence, managers should expect more good things to come. Wheeler is tentatively scheduled to make his next start Friday against the Red Sox.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Strikes out 11 in second win
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Wheeler (2-1) earned the win Sunday, allowing three runs on three hits and three walks over six innings during a 9-3 victory over the Rockies. He struck out 11.
Aside from a three-run fourth, Wheeler was sharp through six innings and tied his season high with 11 strikeouts. It was the right-hander's second quality start of the season, and he currently sports a 4.73 ERA with a 34:10 K:BB. Wheeler's next start is tentatively scheduled for Philadelphia's upcoming three-game road set in Houston.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Hangs on for first win
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Wheeler (1-1) picked up the win in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the White Sox, giving up four runs on eight hits over five innings. He struck out five without walking a batter.
The Phillies jumped out to 5-0 lead through three innings, but Wheeler nearly gave it all back in the bottom of the third as Chicago reeled off six straight hits to begin its half of the frame. The right-hander regained his focus, however, retiring the next three batters and then not allowing another run. Wheeler tossed 65 of 94 pitches for strikes before exiting, and he'll carry a 4.79 ERA and 23:7 K:BB through 20.2 innings into his next outing, likely to come this weekend at home against the Rockies.
Wheeler won't start Monday against the White Sox after the game was postponed due to inclement weather in Chicago, Scott Merkin of MLB.com reports.
The Phillies and White Sox will make up the game as part of a straight doubleheader Tuesday. Expect Wheeler to take the hill for one of those games, while Bailey Falter starts the other half of the twin bill.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Settles for quality start Wednesday
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Wheeler didn't factor into the decision in Wednesday's 3-2 extra-inning loss to the Marlins, allowing one run on three hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out six.
The quality start was the first of the season in three tries for Wheeler, and he left the game with a 2-1 lead only to see the bullpen squander it -- a familiar story in recent years for Phillies starting pitchers. The veteran right-hander generated 15 swinging strikes among his 95 pitches, and Wheeler will take a 4.02 ERA and 18:7 K:BB through 15.2 innings into his next outing, likely to come early next week on the road against the White Sox.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Strikes out five in no-decision
Rotowire
Wheeler did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing two runs on five hits and three walks over 5.1 innings in a 5-2 win over the Reds. He struck out five.
Wheeler allowed one hit and one walk through four shutout frames before serving up a game-tying, two-out RBI single to Jose Barrero in the top of the fifth. The right-hander got out of the inning by striking out Jonathan India but was pulled in the sixth after allowing two doubles to the first three batters, including a game-tying knock to Tyler Stephenson. Through his first two outings, Wheeler has given up six earned runs across 9.2 innings, but he's struck out 12.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Next start pushed back
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Wheeler will have his next start pushed back to Friday following the postponement of Thursday's game between the Reds and Phillies, Scott Lauber of The Philadelphia Inquirer reports.
The weather on Thursday in Philly is expected to be nasty, so the club will host its home opener a day later instead. Wheeler will square off against Hunter Greene on Friday.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Takes tough loss in Game 6
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Wheeler pitched 5.1 innings and took the loss during Saturday's 4-1 defeat to the Astros in Game 6 of the World Series, allowing two runs on three hits and one walk while striking out five.
Wheeler was locked in Saturday night, keeping the potent Houston offense scoreless until his final inning. The 32-year-old was pulled from the game in the sixth inning after a hit-by-pitch, a groundout and a single, leaving it up to Jose Alvarado to work out of the jam. Unfortunately, Alvarado surrendered a three-run home run to Yordan Alvarez, giving the Astros a 3-1 lead and putting Wheeler in position to take his second loss of the World Series. Wheeler finished the playoffs with a 1-3 record and a 2.78 ERA across 35.2 innings in what was the first postseason of his nine-year career.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: To get extra rest, start Game 6
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Wheeler is scheduled to start Game 6 of the World Series against the Astros, Joel Sherman of the New York Post reports.
The Phillies watched Wheeler's velocity dip during his last outing and have elected to give their ace an extra day of rest. Philadelphia is expected to start Ranger Suarez in Game 3, Aaron Nola in Game 4 and either Noah Syndergaard or Kyle Gibson in Game 5 if all goes according to plan.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Takes loss in Game 2
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Wheeler pitched five innings and took the loss during Saturday's 5-2 defeat to the Astros in Game 2 of the World Series, allowing five runs (four earned) on six hits and three walks while striking out three.
Wheeler had a rough start to Game 2, allowing three consecutive doubles in a three-run first inning. The 32-year-old was able to settle down and recorded two outs in the fifth inning before giving up a two-run blast to Alex Bregman, making the score 5-0. This was the first start of the postseason where Wheeler did not pitch six innings, and the five runs that scored while he was on the mound matched the total runs allowed in his last four starts combined. He is now 1-2 in the postseason with a 2.67 ERA across 30.1 innings. On a positive note, Wheeler threw only 69 pitches, so he has a chance to make an impact later on in the World Series.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Solid start in Game 5 win
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Wheeler did not factor in the Game 5 decision Sunday during the 4-3 win, allowing two runs on three hits and zero walks while striking out eight in six innings against the Padres.
In the first postseason of his career, Wheeler delivered his fourth straight quality start of the playoffs. His first blemish came on a solo homer from Juan Soto in the fourth, and his second run allowed was scored after he was removed from the game in the seventh inning following a leadoff single. The 32-year old righty has been a dominant force on the mound in the postseason, amassing 25.1 innings and allowing just five runs (1.79 ERA) while striking out 25. His next start will come in the World Series against the Astros -- Wheeler did not face them in the regular season.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Dominates Game 1 of NLCS
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Wheeler pitched seven scoreless innings to earn the win in Tuesday night's Game 1 of the NLCS, allowing one hit and one walk while striking out eight in the 2-0 victory over the Padres.
Wheeler put together a stellar performance, needing only 83 pitches as he mowed down the Padres for seven strong innings. Wheeler was attacking with his fastball in the strike zone all night, getting five of his six first-pitch outs by way of the heater. The Phillies' ace has only allowed three runs and nine hits through 24.1 innings of work in October. Wheeler's ERA on the road in 2022 was 3.84 -- more than double his 1.85 home ERA -- so it is even more impressive that he was able to silence the crowd in San Diego and help give the Phillies a crucial road victory.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Available in relief
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Wheeler is available in relief for Game 4 of the NLDS against Atlanta and could also start Game 5 on short rest if needed Sunday, Matt Gelb of The Athletic reports.
Wheeler pitched well for most of his Game 2 start on Wednesday, though a two-out rally in the sixth inning involving a hit-by-pitch, a walk and a trio of singles wound up leading to a loss. The Phillies don't fully trust their back-end starters, as they'll only ask Noah Syndergaard to go through the order once in Game 4. Whether Wheeler is used in Game 4 or saved for a potential Game 5 may depend on how the game plays out.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Dominates in final start
Rotowire
Wheeler (12-7) allowed two hits over five scoreless innings Sunday, striking out seven and earning a win over the Nationals.
Wheeler tossed 51 of 77 pitches for strikes and managed to punch out seven batters despite forcing just four whiffs. After coughing up 10 runs in two starts before landing on the injured list, the 32-year-old righty has allowed one run across 15 frames in his last three outings. Wheeler ends his 2022 regular season with a strong 2.82 ERA and 163:34 K:BB over 153 innings.
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Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Deals quality start
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Wheeler did not factor into the decision Tuesday, allowing one run on five hits and one walk over six innings in a 2-1 loss against the Cubs. He struck out five.
In his second start since returning from the injured list, Wheeler delivered his 16th quality start of the season, needing just 62 pitches to get through six innings after throwing 58 in his first start back from the forearm injury. He will carry a 2.92 ERA into his next start.
