Zack

Wheeler

Nola will start on Thursday, there will then be a day off to accommodate the World Cup Final, and then Luzardo and Rangel will throw on Saturday and Sunday. The Phillies could have chosen to use Zack Wheeler on normal rest this weekend, but the veteran will likely get a two-start week against the Dodgers and Yankees instead.

Wheeler added that he felt disrespected and didn’t want to be the fifth choice after the league finally reached out on Friday to offer him a spot on the senior circuit’s roster as a replacement. The 36-year-old veteran should’ve been in the Midsummer Classic much sooner in the process after putting together a remarkable first-half performance in his return from last year’s surgery to address thoracic outlet syndrome, posting a sublime 2.28 ERA, 0.91 WHIP and 98/20 K/BB ratio across 87 innings over 14 starts since April 25.

There were some impressive pitching performances Tuesday in Major League Baseball. This was the most impressive, respectfully. Wheeler did allow a solo homer to Eugenio Suarez, but he allowed just three other hits, and didn’t walk anyone. He’s whiffered 24 hitters over his last two starts, but this one was much more impressive than the 4 2/3 innings he compiled against the Pirates, and much more inline with how he’s pitches for the overwhelming majority of 2026. Hard to believe this guy wasn’t good enough for the All-Star team. He’s scheduled to make one more start before the break against the Tigers on Sunday.

Wheeler was given eight runs to work with tonight, but stunningly, it wasn’t enough to get him a win. It’s the first time in 13 starts this season that he hasn’t completed five innings, and the only time he came out immediately after five was in his Apr. 25 return from the IL. The four runs allowed also matched his season high. Wheeler’s stuff was fine, and though he allowed nine hits, he gave up only six hard-hit balls. He’ll face the Reds next Tuesday.

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.