Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Earns win in playoff clincher
Rotowire
Wheeler (14-5) earned the win Sunday over Tampa Bay, allowing a run on five hits and no walks over six innings. He struck out five.
It was another strong outing for Wheeler, who held the Rays to just one run on Jonny DeLuca's fifth-inning homer, as the Phillies cruised to a 7-3 victory, clinching the final NL wild card spot. Over his last six starts, Wheeler gave up just seven runs while striking out 45 across 37.2 innings. He'll finish the regular season with a 3.00 ERA, 1.05 WHIP and 193:47 K:BB over 28 starts (162 innings).
... See More... See Less
Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Toeing the rubber Sunday
Rotowire
Wheeler will be the Phillies' starter for Sunday's regular-season finale against the Rays, Mark Bowman of MLB.com reports.
The Phillies were unable to clinch a wild-card spot for the playoffs following Saturday's loss to the Rays. As a result, Wheeler will take to the mound for Sunday's regular-season finale, meaning that he wouldn't be available to pitch in the playoffs until Game 3 of the Wild Card Series, if Philadelphia qualifies. Jesus Luzardo (shoulder) is also expected to be activated from the 15-day IL ahead of Sunday's game and be available out of the bullpen.
Wheeler did not factor into the decision Tuesday against the Brewers, allowing three runs on five hits and one walk while striking out 11 across 5.2 innings.
Wheeler set the tone early by striking out the side in the first inning, with his third punchout being the 2,000th of his career. The hard-throwing right-hander wasn't done there, as he proceeded to strike out each of the next four batters he faced, setting a franchise record of seven straight punchouts to start a game. Wheeler is lined up to throw this weekend at home against the Rays, though he could be pushed back for the NL Wild Card Series next week, depending how the playoff picture unfolds. He has a 13-5 record over 27 starts with a 3.06 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 188:47 K:BB over 156 innings this season.
Phillies' Zack Wheeler: Closing in on 2,000 career Ks
Rotowire
Wheeler (13-5) earned the win Wednesday against the Nationals, striking out five while allowing four hits and one walk in seven scoreless innings.
Staked to an early 2-0 lead, Wheeler found himself in cruise control throughout the course of Wednesday evening. The star right-hander pitched at least six innings while yielding one or no runs for a fourth consecutive start, and he's now just three career punchouts shy of joining the 2,000-strikeout club. He'll bring a stellar 2.99 ERA, 1.06 WHIP and 177:46 K:BB over 150.1 innings into his next scheduled outing against the Brewers.
15:41
1:19
1:07
1:06
0:49
1:41
1:02
0:53
0:53
1:49
9:06
1:54
1:14
0:41
1:02
1:06
1:25
1:40
0:47
0:55
