So, Zack Wheeler didn’t start the All-Star Game.
He didn’t get the win.
But he got a save.
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As in he saved his bullets for the Phillies’ second-half playoff run.
In the end, it was the perfect scenario for Wheeler and the Phillies.
The right-hander, a first-time All-Star, was brought into Tuesday night’s game in Denver with two outs in the top of the ninth inning. He proceeded to throw just three pitches, a pair of 100-mph fastballs and a slider, and struck out Matt Olson of the Oakland A’s to end the frame.
Liam Hendriks, the Chicago White Sox’ closer, pitched the bottom of the ninth and earned the save as the American League made it eight straight victories over the National League with a 5-2 win.
MLB
Vlad Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays was the MVP.
The Phillies were well represented at the game. J.T. Realmuto started behind the plate for the NL and joined Mike Schmidt (1981), Greg Luzinski (1977), Dick Allen (1967) and Johnny Callison (1964) as the only Phillies to homer in an All-Star Game when he launched one to right-center in the fifth inning.
Wheeler had seemed to be a strong candidate to start the game, but NL manager Dave Roberts went with three-time Cy Young winner Max Scherzer of the Washington Nationals because of his track record and strong 2021 season. New York Mets ace Jacob deGrom would have been a slam-dunk starter if he hadn’t opted for rest at the break.
The way that Roberts deployed Wheeler likely was not accidental, and it certainly was not disrespectful.
In fact, it was quite respectful — of the Phillies and their place in the standings.
Roberts surely spoke with Wheeler before the game and communicated in some way, possibly through an intermediary, with Phillies manager Joe Girardi. Surely, some type of plan was articulated to Wheeler.
The Phillies are in contention in the NL East and a healthy Wheeler is vital to their chances. Girardi and others are very concerned about Wheeler’s rising workload. You can bet that Girardi favored Wheeler making the appearance he’d earned. And you can bet he was thrilled that it was brief and painless. Get out of Denver, get a couple days of rest, then back to the playoff race Friday. It was win, win for the Phillies and Wheeler.
Wheeler leads the majors with 119 2/3 innings. He is third in strikeouts at 145 and fifth in ERA at 2.26.
Sitting at 44-44 and 3 ½ games behind the first-place New York Mets, the Phillies return to the race Friday night in a huge doubleheader against the Miami Marlins at Citizens Bank Park.
Girardi has not named his starters for the twin bill, but Wheeler could be in play for one of them. At the very least, he could pitch during the weekend series, if the Phillies choose. His work in the All-Star Game amounted to nothing more than a high-profile, nationally televised, between-starts bullpen session.
Win, win.