Zack Wheeler can’t complete fifth with big lead

Even when he’s not his sharpest Wheeler is still excellent. He forced at least one swing-and-miss with all six of his pitches and multiple with three of them. This also marked 10 times out of his 12 starts this season where he completed at least six innings and the fourth time he’s completed seven. With that being said, his defense did a lot to help him out in this one. Mainly, Derek Hill who made the catch of the year when he robbed a home run from Juan Soto in the first inning. Regardless, Wheeler is absolutely back to being an ace with a 2.03 ERA, 74 strikeouts, and 19 walks through 75 1/3 innings so far this season. He’s scheduled to face the Pirates next time out.

He struck out seven. Aside from a Carson Benge homer in the third, Wheeler was mostly in command against New York’s lineup, but he ran out of gas in the sixth where he walked three in the frame and saw a run come home on a fielder’s choice after Don Mattingly decided to stick with him for another batter. Jonathan Bowlan took over from there and struck out Marcus Semien swinging to close the book on Wheeler’s night. There was some nervousness about Wheeler’s return from the injured list, but here he is at 7-1 with a 2.11 ERA through 11 starts. He actually lines up to face the Mets again on Friday, this time at his former stomping grounds at Citi Field.

Wheeler scattered a pair of hits and three walks, needing just 97 pitches (59 strikes) to reel off six impressive frames. The 36-year-old veteran induced multiple strikeouts on four different pitches and came up just shy of his first double-digit strikeout performance since last August. It’s astonishing how we’ll he’s pitched considering where his fastball velocity was during minor league rehab starts earlier this spring. He’s allowed three earned runs or fewer in nine of his 10 starts and boasts a sparkling 2.01 ERA during that span. He’ll close out a two-start week with a home tilt against the division-rival Mets on Sunday Night Baseball.

Wheeler struck out five and walked none. The only damage came on a Jesús Sañchez homer in the sixth. Wheeler then departed a tie game, which kept him 5-1 with a 2.22 ERA through nine starts. He should be regarded as a top-10 SP at this point, and he’ll face the Marlins next time out.

Wheeler carried a no-hitter into the sixth, but gave up a little outfield bloop single to Bryce Johnson, and, later in the seventh, a two-run homer to Manny Machado. Those were the only hits he allowed, lowering his ERA to 2.31. After struggling with his velocity in his rehab from thoracic outlet syndrome, Wheeler has emerged as a league-winning upside pick. He’ll take on the Jays in his next start, and fantasy managers should keep dialing Wheeler up until they hear otherwise.

If you take away solo homers, Wheeler was solid. When you give up four of them, that caveat doesn’t really work. Wheeler couldn’t keep the ball in the park, and while he allowed no other runs and just one more hit before leaving, those roundtrippers made it a disappointing effort for the 36-year-old. Wheeler was due for a shaky start, and still has a 2.27 ERA and 40/9 K/BB in his 43 2/3 innings in 2026. Expect him to bounce back against the struggling Padres’ offense next week.

Orion Kerkering, Brad Keller and Jhoan Duran finished up the three-hitter. Wheeler allowed two hits and walked one in the 99-pitch outing. Following a leadoff double in the fourth, he retired nine in a row to conclude his day. Wheeler is an incredible 4-0 with a 1.67 ERA and a 36/8 K/BB in 37 2/3 innings since returning from thoracic outlet surgery. He’s due to make his next start Friday against the Dodgers.

The 35-year-old right-hander scattered just four hits and one walk in the brilliant effort. The Pirates only had one runner reach second base against him, as Brandon Lowe doubled with two outs in the sixth inning. He got 13 whiffs on 98 pitches on the day — nine of them on his fastball which averaged 96.3 mph — while posting a solid CSW of 27 percent. He has been great through his first five starts, going 3-0 with a 1.99 ERA, 0.88 WHIP and a 30/7 K/BB ratio across 31 2/3 innings.

Wheeler caught quite a break in the seventh, as Wilyer Abreu’s blast to left was caught just in front of the 380-foot mark at Fenway Park. It would have been a homer in 29 parks, says Statcast. Wheeler’s first few innings tonight were truly remarkable; aided by a pair of double plays, he threw only six pitches in the first, six in the second and four in the third. He came in at 87 pitches in all, and though he allowed 11 hard-hit balls, he didn’t give up any extra-base hits. He’s 2-0 with a 2.55 ERA after four starts, and he’s due to face the Pirates in a matchup against Paul Skenes on Sunday.

He allowed five hits, walked one and struck out four. Wheeler averaged 95.0 mph with his fastball tonight, up from 94.3 mph in his season debut, so it seems like he just might wind up close to his 2024 average of 96.1 mph as he continues to build up. That’s great news for those who stashed him in drafts this spring. He’ll face the Red Sox next.