He may not win the Cy Young Award, and the Philadelphia Phillies may not go to the postseason. But Zack Wheeler’s 2021 campaign has been one of the finest in the history of the franchise.
Even though it came in a loss, Wheeler’s 32nd start of the season Tuesday was excellent, as he limited the Atlanta Braves to four hits and two runs across seven frames. If the game hadn’t been played under National League rules, the 31-year-old righty may very well have gone deeper into the game, as he had just 93 pitches when Joe Girardi elected to pinch hit for Wheeler down 2-0 in the top of the eighth inning.