In the 2024 Phillies rotation, it can be easy to overlook Aaron Nola. Zack Wheeler is in Tier 1 of starting pitchers across the whole league. Cristopher Sánchez is a breakout star who earned himself a midseason contract extension. Ranger Suárez is Ranger Suárez.
But with seven dominant innings against the Houston Astros on Tuesday, Nola provided a reminder that he, and his season, shouldn’t in fact be overlooked. He ranks ninth in the National League with 153 strikeouts and seventh with a 3.30 ERA that would be the third-best non-pandemic mark of his career.
He completed seven innings for, shockingly, the first time since June 24 — even though he’s finished five innings in all 13 starts since June 13.