PHILADELPHIA— It’s not much of a surprise to anyone that the Philadelphia Phillies have named Zack Wheeler their Opening Day starter.
The Phillies ace has proven to be one of the best pitchers in the game since joining the club in 2020 and Wheeler is coming off a runner-up season in the National League Cy Young in 2024. Zack earned his first Opening Day nod with the Phils last year and will get his second chance this year in Washington.
Wheeler Earns the Nod
In his 5 seasons with the Phillies organization, Zack Wheeler has developed into a franchise great.
In 133 starts, Zack has pitched to a 59-32 record, with a 2.94 earned run average across 829.1 innings pitched. Those innings are the second most in Major League Baseball during that span and Wheeler is second to teammate Aaron Nola, who has thrown 850. The right-hander’s 24.7 fwar is also the best in baseball.
Regular season success is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Zack Wheeler. In 12 post-season starts for the Phillies, Wheels has been dominant. In 12 games (11 starts, 1 relief appearance), Zack has pitched 70.1 innings with a 2.18 earned run average. He went 3-0 in the 2023 playoffs and last season pitched 7 scoreless against the New York Mets in his only start.
Tacking on 3 Top-6 finishes in the National League Cy Young award voting, the Phillies’ Opening Day starter has been nominated to 2 All-Star games and won a Gold Glove.
Zack Wheeler will join Aaron Nola, Cole Hamels, Roy Halladay, Curt Shilling, Steve Carlton, and Robin Roberts as some of the many Phillies starters to pitch multiple Opening Day games.
Phillies Opening Day Preview
With Rob Thomson naming Zack Wheeler the Opening Day starter, the starters for Game One against the Washington Nationals are clear.
| Zack Wheeler | Pitcher |
| J.T. Realmuto | Catcher |
| Bryce Harper | 1st Base |
| Bryson Stott | 2nd Base |
| Alec Bohm | 3rd Base |
| Trea Turner | Shortstop |
| Max Kepler | Left Field |
| Brandon Marsh | Center Field |
| Nick Castellanos | Right Field |
| Kyle Schwarber | Designated Hitter |
While the starting lineup is yet to be revealed, we know that these players will be starting against LHP Mackenzie Gore.
In his career, Gore is 1-4 against the Phillies in 9 games and 8 starts. Mackenzie is entering his third season with Washington after being a key piece in the Juan Soto trade to San Diego. This will be his first Opening Day start in D.C.
Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images
