With the Philadelphia Phillies officially naming Zack Wheeler as the Opening Day starter, Aaron Nola’s streak ends at six. Barring any free agent signings, the rotation had been set all spring training, even more so now that Wheeler is officially the starter. Let’s look at the rotation with everything official.
Zack Wheeler
Zack Wheeler has been the Phillies‘ best pitcher since he arrived in 2020 and is finally getting the Opening Day start he deserves. Fans expect him to be in the Cy Young discussion again and make big contributions to a team expecting to make another run at the World Series.
Wheeler had a great spring training, only allowing two runs on six hits while striking out 14 batters in 14.1 innings of work. He is ready for Opening Day, whether that be tomorrow or Friday. I expect him to have a typical Wheeler outing and a great season.
Aaron Nola
Aaron Nola being the day-two pitcher this season is a different sight for Phillies fans. He has started the last six Opening Days. The support Aaron Nola has shown for Wheeler starting Opening Day is not only a testament to Nola’s character but also how close and on-page the team seems to be of its goals for the 2024 season.
Nola had a decent spring training with his last outing being the best of them all. He allowed eight runs, three walks, one home run, 17 hits, and had 17 strikeouts in 19 innings this spring. Like Wheeler, Nola is expected to bounce back from last year and help lead a team expecting to make another run at the World Series this season. Is he a dark horse for the Cy Young? I think so.
Ranger Suarez
Ranger Suarez was a very underrated pitcher. He is putting the world on notice with how great he has been in the last two postseason runs and this season should not be any different. With how their seasons went last year, Ranger should be the third starter and Walker should be moved down to the fourth spot.
Ranger Suarez had a phenomenal spring training. He pitched 15 innings, not allowing a single run on five hits while striking out 16 batters. He looks ready to start on Easter Sunday. We can expect another great season from him.
Taijuan Walker
Taijuan Walker didn’t have the year he, the Phillies, or the fans expected him to have. He pitched well in the first half but fell off and struggled in the second.
He didn’t have a good spring at all. Could that be from his injury? Probably. He did not look right in his outings this spring and the numbers show it. He only pitched 4.2 innings but allowed eight runs on seven hits while walking four and striking out four. That’s not good, but with his injury, you can’t gauge how his season could go. There are some unknowns when it comes to Walker now.
Cristopher Sanchez
Cristopher Sanchez looked good in his starts last season and has solidified his spot as the day-five starter. Sanchez didn’t allow many runs after he got called back up, which is why the Phillies weren’t big players for any of the top free-agent pitchers.
He did not have a great spring, allowing seven runs, three walks, 15 hits, and one home run in 7.1 innings. There is no need to panic, though. Sanchez was great for the Phillies when he came back up from Lehigh and I expect that to continue into this season.
Spencer Turnbull
Spencer Turnbull was named the 5th starter with Taijuan Walker being injured. He is expected to start the sixth game of the season, a 1:05 start time on Wednesday, April 3 against the Cincinnati Reds.
He had a great spring training and earned the sixth starter nod to start the season. His spring saw him go eight innings, only allowing two runs on seven hits, one walk, and 12 strikeouts. While this is sure to not translate to the regular season exactly, his spring outings bring in a sigh of relief after the news of Walker’s injury.
The starting rotation is solid to start the year with high expectations. Two Cy Young candidates at the front of the rotation are always fun to watch.
