Six games into the season, and each of the five pitchers currently in the starting rotation for the Philadelphia Phillies has gotten their turn on the mound.
As a staff, the Phillies’ starters have combined to pitch a 2.60 ERA in 34.2 innings through six starts. Every start has found the pitcher throwing for at least 5.0 innings. Only twice has a starter allowed more than one run in total. They have also combined as a staff to strike out 48 opposing batters with only a 0.86 WHIP.
From top to bottom, the pitching staff is doing exactly what they should be doing: keeping the team in the game until the offense gets the job done.
Aaron Nola’s Struggles
Aaron Nola’s start, of course, is the one that brings the average up through these statistics. In a 5.1 inning performance against the Washington Nationals, Nola allowed five runs on six hits. Five runs certainly dampens the mood a bit. In classic Nola fashion, these runs came off, essentially, as two bad pitches that resulted in multi-run home runs. The long ball has been a struggle for Nolas’ over the past few seasons, and it does not seem to be disappearing any time soon.
But looking at the rest of his numbers, it was an encouraging start. Nola allowed six hits, walking no one on the day. He struck out eight batters.
Each of Nola’s pitches clocked in about one mile slower than they had in 2024. Given that Nola tops out in the low-90s in a league full of high-mileage slingers, Nola has always had to rely a bit more on pitch location than his counterparts. So when Nola misses his location… well, let’s just say a 92-MPH fastball down the middle is easier to hit than a 99-MPH fastball.
Regardless, if Nola is the same pitcher as he was last year, a strong arm for five to six innings prone to leaving a pitch up for a home run occasionally, that means he will continue to contribute to a winning team. In 2024, Nola pitched the third most innings in the National League while throwing a respectable 3.57 ERA.
Taijuan Walker shows signs of life
Taijuan Walker received his fair share of boos at Citizens Bank Park on Thursday. Making his first start of the 2025 season, Walker hoped to get the sour taste of his 2024 season out of his mouth. Six innings of shutout baseball later, Walker succeeded at that task, leaving the field to a standing ovation from Phillies fans.
Securing the sweep against the Colorado Rockies, Walker allowed only three hits and one walk over six innings of action. Walker did so very effectively as well, only requiring 74 pitches to work through six innings.
Per Cory Nidoh of Metro Philadelphia, Rob Thomson was proud of Walker’s performance.
“He’s a great teammate,” said Thomson. “He’s always on the top step. He’s always cheering on his teammates. He’s always there. I’m just so happy for him.”
Walker clearly does his part for the team in the clubhouse, and he is no doubt happier than anyone to get to do his part for the team on the field this season as well.
Strong showings from Wheeler, Sánchez, and Luzardo
Zack Wheeler continues to demonstrate why he is one of the best starting pitchers in baseball, and Cristopher Sánchez is beginning to make a case for himself as well. Through two starts, Wheeler has only allowed two runs in 13.0 innings of work, amassing 18 strikeouts. Sánchez, meanwhile, pitched 5.1 innings against the Rockies for one run. Allowing six baserunners and striking out seven, Sánchez is cementing his role as a strong starter in the Phillies’ rotation for years to come.
Then, there is the new face to the rotation, Jesús Luzardo. Luzardo, a former Miami Marlin, struck out 11 batters in his first start of the season on Saturday. Allowing only two runs and seven baserunners, Luzardo is showing signs that he has put his injuries of 2024 behind him.
Phillies Are Just Getting Started
These first impressions from the Phillies staff are strong, but the season is long. Injuries could and have already popped up. A starter could get into a bad stretch or lose command of their best pitch. But the Phillies are in a great position to handle any issues as they arise.
Ranger Suárez is working his way back from his back issue, and Andrew Painter will likely be Major League-ready come July, placing the Phillies in a position where they have some of the strongest starting pitching depth in baseball.
Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
