PHOENIX – It’s become difficult to find new ways to describe Zack Wheeler’s postseason dominance, but what he did for the Phillies on Saturday night in Game 5 of the NLCS may have been the most important thing he’s done so far in his career has.
The Phillies used their bullpen for 26 outs in Games 3 and 4, both losses at Arizona. Had Wheeler pitched five innings in Game 5 and lacked command, the Phillies would have been in a vulnerable position and might have had to come home for two straight wins to avoid elimination.
Craig Kimbrel was down after throwing 45 pitches the last two nights. So did Orion Kerkering after he pitched two nights in a row for the first time in his life. Jose Alvarado was available, but the Phillies were determined to stay away from him since it would have been the third straight day and the first appearance lasted two innings.
Wheeler failed to pitch five innings. He did not lack command. He reached seventh and didn’t give up a run until his final frame. He struck out eight. He went one. He entered having allowed the fewest baserunners per inning of any pitcher in MLB playoff history, and that didn’t change.
Wheeler has made 10 playoff starts. His opponents have hit .164/.211/.256. That’s 232 plate appearances in which Wheeler turned some of baseball’s best hitters into the equivalent of a pitcher.
The Phillies needed him more than ever on Saturday night and he answered the call again with a 6-1 win that put them up 3-2 in the NLCS.
“You could tell there was a lot of weight on his shoulders today, but every time that happens he seems to step up for us and pitch well,” catcher JT Realmuto said.
“You could see it from the first pitch, he was trying to attack the strike zone. He was focused all day on his pregame routine, meeting our pitchers, he was locked in. During meetings you ask yourself: “Is he even listening to us right now?”
“He was more interested in how we attack this guy, how we get him out the second time. He was engaged.”
The only pitcher with a playoff ERA, WHIP and strikeout rate that rivals Wheeler’s in as many innings is Bob Gibson. Seriously.
Without him, the Phillies wouldn’t be here. Without him, they wouldn’t have been in the 2022 World Series. Wheeler has surpassed Gerrit Cole, who signed for nearly three times as much money in the same offseason. The Cy Young winners this year could be Cole and either Spencer Strider or Zac Gallen. When you consider not only Wheeler’s performance but also timing, he could be the best pitcher in Major League Baseball right now.
“I told him after the game, ‘You’re one of the best pitchers I’ve ever played with, man,'” Bryce Harper said. “I’ve played with a lot of good players and he’s easily in the top three.”
“He just has complete confidence in his ability to throw any pitch in any count. He has no fear. As a baseball player watching that, every time he goes out there is an incredible moment.”
“That’s why he’s here. That’s why he has the opportunity to do this every fifth day. I just love watching him do it. It’s incredible what he does.”
The NLCS now returns to Philadelphia for Game 6 on Monday night and Game 7 (if necessary) on Tuesday. Aaron Nola will pitch Game 6. Ranger Suarez would start Game 7. Suarez spent Saturday night in the bullpen and would have been used if the game had been closer or Wheeler’s night had been shorter.
Add that to the list of reasons why Wheeler’s start was so crucial. It’s at least one less inning on Suarez’s arm and one less look at a pitcher the Diamondbacks’ lineup might see again.
“Given the state our bullpen was in and what they’ve been through the last few days, Wheels made it their mission to go deep into the game,” Realmuto said.
“It was great to get some momentum back for these guys. We saw how they reacted after we beat them two games at home, they came back and hit us right in the mouth. It’s exciting to get back home, but we have to put our work hats on. They will come to play, so we hope the crowd will get behind us and cheer us on even more.”